What You Need to Know About Ghana's New Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie
- President John Mahama has appointed Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana's new Chief Justice following the removal of Gertrude Torkornoo
- Baffoe-Bonnie, a former Supreme Court judge, was recommended for the position by a committee investigating misconduct allegations
- The 68-year-old has held key judicial roles and is known for his extensive legal experience and family ties to prominent NDC figures
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Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana by President John Mahama.
The appointment was made public on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in a statement released by presidential spokesman Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communication.
Source: Facebook
Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's elevation from a Supreme Court judge to Chief Justice comes after Gertrude Araba Torkornoo was removed by the president in line with Article 144 (1) of the Constitution.
The statement released by the spokesperson for the president stated that Baffoe-Bonnie's wealth of experience as a Supreme Court judge rendered him 'eminently qualified' for the role.
Despite his rich experience and legacy in the legal fraternity, many Ghanaians outside the law courts do not know a lot about the new Chief Justice.
Here are a few facts about Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, as compiled by YEN.com.gh.
Baffoe-Bonnie's education and career trajectory
Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, currently 68 years old, was born in Goaso, Ahafo Region, on December 26, 1956. He began his education at Goaso R/C Primary and Middle Schools between 1962 and 1969.
After completing the local primary school, the newly nominated Chief Justice later moved on to Konongo Odumase Secondary School, where he earned both his O-Level and A-Level certificates.
In 1979, he earned a law degree from the University of Ghana and trained at the Ghana School of Law from 1979 to 1981. He was later called to the Bar in 1983.
He began his legal career in 1993 as a Circuit Court judge in Duayaw Nkwanta, rising through the ranks in the judiciary to serve as a High Court judge in Kumasi.
Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was later elevated to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court by President Kufuor in 2006 and 2008, respectively.
The new Chief Justice's leadership role
Following the suspension of Gertrude Torkornoo on April 22, 2025, he was appointed acting Chief Justice by President Mahama.
Baffoe-Bonnie has also served as the Acting Chairperson of the General Legal Council, Chairman of the Board of Legal Education, and Chairman of the Judicial Council.
He also chaired the Disciplinary Committee and Finance Committee of the Judicial Council.
The newly appointed Chief Justice's leadership includes representing Ghana at judicial conferences in Egypt, Morocco, India, Scotland, the US, and ECOWAS sessions in Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Cabo Verde.
Baffoe-Bonnie's family background
Paul Baffoe-Bonnie is married to Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, who is the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, with whom he has one child. She was also appointed to helm the prison service by President Mahama in March 2025.
Born to Opanyin Baffoe-Bonnie from Sewua and Ama Kyerewaa, the new Chief Justice is the brother of Kwasi Sainti Baffoe-Bonnie, the founder of Radio Gold FM, a media firm purportedly affiliated with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Source: Facebook
Reasons for Torkornoo's removal as Chief Justice
Earlier, YEN.com.gh also reported that President Mahama had dismissed former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo on the recommendation of an investigative committee.
Her removal was recommended on three grounds: the unlawful expenditure of public funds, the abuse of discretionary power, and the interference in judicial appointments.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
