President John Dramani Mahama has named Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the new Chief Justice of Ghana.

Profile of the Acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie

Early Life and Education

Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was born on 26 December 1956. He began his education at the Goaso Local Authority Primary and Middle Schools, completing his Middle School Leaving Certificate examinations in the late 1960s.

He attended Konongo Odumase Secondary School, where he obtained his GCE Ordinary Level and GCE Advanced Level certificates between 1969 and 1976. He proceeded to the University of Ghana and subsequently the Ghana School of Law.

While at law school, he was roommates with the late former NPP General Secretary Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, and close friends with former Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah. He fondly described the three of them as forming "a trio of village law students."

Legal Career

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was called to the Bar in Ghana in 1983. He began his judicial career as a Circuit Court Judge in Kumasi and later served as a High Court Judge in Duayaw Nkwanta. He was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2006.

In June 2008, President John Agyekum Kufuor appointed him as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana.

Notable Case

In 2013, he was part of the panel of Supreme Court Judges that adjudicated the landmark election petition filed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which sought to annul approximately four million votes from the 2012 general elections due to alleged irregularities. The petition was ultimately dismissed by the court.

Personal Life

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie hails from Sewua in the Bosomtwe District through his father, Opanyin Baffoe-Bonnie, and from Breman in Kumasi through his mother, Ama Kyerewaa.

He is married to Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, who serves as the Director-General of Prisons.

He is also the brother of the late Kwasi Sainti Baffoe-Bonnie, the founder of Network Broadcasting Company Limited, which operates Radio Gold.

The nomination of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who is currently the Acting Chief Justice, aligns with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

In a statement dated Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said that Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination will be considered by the Council of State following its submission by the president.

“President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution, forwarded the name of His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to the Council of State for consideration as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana,” portions of the statement read.

Additionally, the statement spoke highly of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, describing him as someone with immense knowledge and experience in the judicial system, having risen through the ranks from the High Court to the apex Supreme Court.

“Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has, throughout his distinguished judicial career, served with diligence and integrity at the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and currently, the Supreme Court. He has made invaluable contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence.

“He has earned the esteem of the Bench, the Bar, and the wider legal fraternity for his intellect, impartiality, and unwavering commitment to justice. His wealth of experience and long service on the Bench render him eminently qualified for the high office of Chief Justice. His Lordship has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since 22nd April 2025,” the statement added.

This development follows the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo from office after a five-member committee, led by Justice Pwamang and set up by the president, established a prima facie case in response to petitions filed against her.

Read the full statement below:



MAG/AE

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