Parliament yesterday approved the Chief Justice (CJ) nominee and Acting CJ, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, following a heated vetting process and debate on the Appointments Committee’s report.
During the debate, the Minority rejected a voice vote and insisted on a head count. The head count resulted in 163 votes for the Majority and 69 for the Minority. Dissatisfied with the outcome, the First Deputy Minority Whip, Alhaji Habib Iddrisu, demanded a division, requiring members to physically move into designated lobbies for counting.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, opposed the request, and the Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, ruled it unnecessary.
The Minority raised concerns about ongoing cases before the Supreme Court and the ECOWAS Court challenging the removal of former CJ Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
They argued that approving a new CJ could have legal implications if the cases are decided in her favour. Speaker Bagbin, however, repeatedly cautioned them against discussing those matters during the debate and overruled the objections.
Announcing the approval, Mr. Bagbin congratulated Justice Baffoe-Bonnie and urged him to serve with integrity, noting the tense atmosphere surrounding his nomination and vetting.
“I announce the approval of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie by Parliament under Article 114(1) of the 1992 Constitution… I urge the nominee to take whatever has transpired during this process into consideration in his tenure of office,” he said.
Chairperson of the Appointments Committee and First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, highlighted Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s competence during Monday’s vetting, affirming his suitability to lead the judiciary.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who has served on the Supreme Court since 2008, is one of Ghana’s longest-serving justices and has contributed significantly to numerous judicial decisions.
