A viral video of Ghana’s Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonney, in which he is seen openly courting goodwill for President John Mahama’s government while speaking disparagingly about the previous NPP administration raises questions that can not be brushed aside as mere a personal commentary.
Most strikingly, Justice Baffoe-Bonney is heard praising the “old man agenda” and telling Ghanaians that “you should do everything to make sure that his agenda succeeds.”
That is an extraordinary statement from the head of Ghana’s Judiciary, which must be frontally condemned.
The judiciary is not an extension of the executive. The Chief Justice is not the president’s campaigner, policy adviser, or cheerleader. His office demands independence, impartiality, and, above all, public confidence in the administration of justice in our country.
His reference to the SSNIT and Labadi Beach Hotel controversy is equally revealing. The Chief Justice appeared to offer a rather cursory account of the 2024 controversy. But the Labadi issue is only a symptom of a bigger problem.
The bigger question is: Why is the Chief Justice publicly campaigning for the success of the political agenda of the President who heads the Executive.
When the head of the judiciary tells citizens to “do everything” to ensure that the president’s agenda succeeds, he is not merely expressing goodwill. He is projecting an unmistakable political agenda of the ruling government.
This is deeply troubling, especially in a country where the independence of state institutions is supposed to be a constitutional principle.
I have watched with growing concern the harassment of social media critics of the NDC government, the political persecution of former officials of the previous administration, and the selective application of justice under the John Mahama government.
I do not believe these developments are isolated. I believe they form part of a coordinated political architecture in which the institutions of the State are being coerced by President Mahamato to protect, promote, and advance the interests of the governing NDC party and its leadership.
And when the head of the Judiciary publicly tells Ghanaians to do “everything” to make the President’s agenda succeed, he reinforces rather than dispels that perception.
This is precisely why the Chief Justice’s conduct must be called out.
The judiciary must not become a cheerleader for the executive. The Chief Justice must not allow his office to be reduced to a platform for praise-singing the President or disparaging officials of the immediate past NPP government.
Ghana does not need a judiciary that is in bed with the government. Ghana needs a judiciary that is independent, credible, and transparent.
As a responsible Ghanaian citizen, it is not out of place to rebuke this indisciplined and reckless pro NDC Chief Justice for debasing the revered institution. As occupant of Ghana’s highest judicial office, Justice Baffoe-Bonney must show respect to his office, the people, and defend the constitution and completely stay out of partisan politics at all times.
The Chief Justice must be a judge for Ghana; not an attention seeking opportunist who has thrown his integrity to the dogs and “serving as an advocate” for John Mahama and the NDC. Justice Baffoe-Bonney’s unrestrained “political” activities have ruined the judiciary. This must stop!
If Justice Baffoe-Bonney wants to be a partisan political commentator, he must first stand down as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.
