President John Dramani Mahama has officially nominated His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for consideration as the next Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana. This significant development, in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution, follows the removal of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office on grounds of stated misbehaviour, a decision enacted by President Mahama on September 1 after receiving a report from a constitutional committee.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, is widely lauded for his distinguished judicial career, marked by unwavering diligence and integrity across the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. The Presidency's communique, issued on Tuesday, highlighted his invaluable contributions to Ghanaian jurisprudence, noting his profound intellect, impartiality, and steadfast commitment to justice, which have earned him the esteem of the Bench, the Bar, and the wider legal fraternity. His extensive experience and long service are cited as qualities making him eminently qualified for this high office, especially as he is the most senior among the remaining nine justices of the Supreme Court.

Born on December 26, 1956, in Goaso, Ahafo Region, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is the son of the late Joseph Maxwell Baffoe-Bonnie and Elizabeth Akosua Amponsah. His foundational education began at Goaso R/C Primary and Middle Schools from 1962 to 1969, followed by Konongo-Odumasi Secondary School from 1969 to 1976, where he obtained his Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates. He pursued legal studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, graduating in 1979, and then attended the Ghana School of Law from 1979 to 1981, officially being called to the Bar in 1983.

Before embarking on his judicial path, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie built a diverse professional background. He completed national service with the Ghana United Nations Association (GUNA) and the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) between 1981 and 1982. He then taught in Oyo State, Nigeria, from 1982 to 1984. Upon returning to Ghana, he practiced law with ESSWINT Chambers in Sekondi and later with Kejetia Chambers in Kumasi. His public service career included roles as Deputy Superintendent of Prisons from 1988 to 1990 and Principal Inspector of Taxes at the Internal Revenue Service, where he headed the Legal Department for the Eastern and Volta Regions from 1990 to 1992.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie's illustrious judicial career began with his appointment to the bench in 1993. He served as a Circuit Court Judge, first at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Ahafo Region and then in Kumasi from 1995. His progression continued as a High Court Judge in Sunyani (2000–2002), Kumasi (2002–2003), and on the Fast Track High Court in Accra (2003–2006). He was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2006 and subsequently to the Supreme Court in June 2008, appointed by then-President John Agyekum Kufuor. He assumed the pivotal role of Acting Chief Justice of Ghana on April 22, 2025, marking a culmination of his extensive service.

Within the judiciary and legal education, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has held numerous significant leadership positions. Since April 2025, he has served as Acting Chairperson of the General Legal Council, Acting Chairman of the Board of Legal Education, and Acting Chairman of the Judicial Council. He has also chaired the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council, the Finance Committee of the Judicial Council, and the Election Management Committee of the Judicial Service. Earlier in his career, he was the Secretary of the Association of Magistrates and Judges from 2004 to 2006 and served as the Chief Justice’s oversight representative for the Brong Ahafo, Western, and Central Regions between 2009 and 2013.

His contributions to Ghana’s electoral jurisprudence are particularly notable. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was an integral part of the committee that produced the maiden edition of the Manual on Election Adjudication in 2008 and its subsequent revisions in 2012, 2016, and 2020. In 2024, he chaired the committee responsible for reviewing and publishing the comprehensive three-volume fifth edition. Furthermore, he has served as a vital resource person for training and orientation programs for judges and magistrates across the country, particularly focusing on election laws and alternative dispute resolution.

Internationally, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has represented Ghana and participated in various high-level conferences, including sessions of the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Cabo Verde, as well as global judicial conferences in Egypt, Morocco, India, Scotland, and the United States. He has also attended the Commonwealth Judges Conference and the World Conference of Chief Justices. He was a member of the Ghana Bar Association from 1983 to 1993 and has been an active member of the Association of Magistrates and Judges Ghana since 1992.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is married and is proficient in both English and Twi. Outside his judicial duties, he enjoys football, music, and walking. His life and career reflect an unwavering dedication to public service, the law, and the strengthening of Ghana’s democratic institutions, embodying resilience, commitment, and a lifelong pursuit of justice.

The nomination of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is now subject to the advice of the Council of State. Following their counsel, Parliament will undertake the vetting and approval process. If confirmed, he will officially assume leadership of Ghana’s judiciary, steering the institution during a critical period after the dramatic removal of his predecessor.

Reacting to the nomination, Salam Mustapha, the National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stated that the development was not unexpected for the opposition party. He claimed the NPP had long suspected President Mahama would elevate Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, especially after Justice Gertrude Torkornoo's suspension, describing it as a