A photo collage of John Dramani Mahama and Paul Baffoe-Bonnie
President John Dramani Mahama has charged the newly sworn-in Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to ensure that justice in Ghana is fair, timely, and accessible for all Ghanaians.
Addressing Justice Baffoe-Bonnie at the swearing-in ceremony at the Jubilee House on Monday, November 17, 2025, President Mahama said: “Justice in Ghana is not for sale, and no one, regardless of their power or status, is too powerful or too humble to be held accountable under the law.”
President Mahama officially swears in Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s Chief Justice
He described the judiciary as the symbol of the law and emphasised that court decisions, whether popular or unpopular, must always be respected and enforced.
“This is the bedrock of the rule of law. And I’m confident that under your leadership, my Lord, the judiciary will continue to uphold its constitutional mandate without fear or favour, and, as you said in your oath, without affection or ill will,” President Mahama noted.
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President Mahama also called on Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to make courts more accessible and efficient for ordinary citizens.
“Justice must not only be fair, it must also be accessible, it must be timely, and citizens still experience justice as something that is distant, slow, and financially burdensome. Court adjournments, delays in delivering judgments, and complex procedures can turn our courtrooms into places of frustration rather than places of hope.
“I therefore urge you, my Lord, in collaboration with the Judicial Council and the Bar, to prioritize the reduction of case backlogs through innovative case management systems; expansion and modernization of court infrastructure, especially in underserved districts; the use of technology, e-filing, virtual hearings where appropriate, and digital recordings to improve efficiency; and simplified procedures, especially for small claims, family matters, juvenile matters, and labour matters, so that ordinary citizens are not excluded by technicality,” he noted.
He reaffirmed the government’s support for judicial reforms, promising: “As government, we recognise our responsibility to provide adequate resources to support these reforms. We will work with your office to ensure that the judiciary is adequately equipped to deliver justice in a modern and efficient manner.”
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was nominated by President Mahama on September 23, 2025, in recognition of his extensive experience and long service across the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.
He has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, after the suspension and eventual dismissal of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
JKB/BAI
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