The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called for the immediate resignation of Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, accusing him of making partisan political comments and publicly aligning himself with the agenda of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
The party’s demand follows the circulation of a video in which the Chief Justice is heard making comparative remarks about the performance of state institutions under the current administration and the previous government.
In the video, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is heard saying: “Sometimes when we hear how well some state organisations are doing now, we wonder what we really have been doing in the past eight years.”
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 3, 2026, and signed by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party described the remarks as inappropriate for the head of Ghana’s Judiciary.
The NPP accused the Chief Justice of crossing the line between judicial responsibility and partisan politics, arguing that his position requires strict political neutrality.
According to the party, the conduct raises questions about whether the Chief Justice can be perceived as an impartial arbiter, particularly in cases involving the government and its political opponents.
The NPP said the Judiciary’s constitutional independence requires its head to remain above partisan political considerations, citing Articles 125 and 127 of the 1992 Constitution as well as the judicial oath requiring justice to be administered without fear, favour, affection or ill will.
The party also took issue with what it described as the Chief Justice’s reported pledge to do everything possible to ensure that President John Dramani Mahama’s agenda succeeds.
It argued that the statement was particularly concerning because the President’s agenda includes the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, under which some persons associated with the NPP are facing prosecution.
“A Chief Justice swears a single oath, and it is to the Constitution: to no President, no party and no agenda,” the NPP stated.
The party further alleged that the Chief Justice’s appearances at events involving political appointees of the current government had contributed to growing concerns over the perceived neutrality of the Judiciary.
It said the combination of his alleged political commentary, public association with government officials and reported support for the President’s agenda could undermine public confidence in the courts.
The NPP also accused the Judiciary of showing what it called “extraordinary alacrity” in handling certain cases involving members of the opposition party.
It cited the case involving NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as an example of what it considers selective or uneven treatment.
The party alleged that cases involving its members were being pursued with unusual speed, while matters involving persons perceived to be aligned with the government were progressing more slowly.
The allegations have not been independently established, and neither the Chief Justice nor the Judicial Service has publicly responded to the claims.
Beyond the political commentary, the NPP criticised the Chief Justice over the condition of court infrastructure across the country.
The party alleged that some courtrooms and judicial offices were in poor condition and accused the Chief Justice of failing to give sufficient attention to the challenges facing judicial facilities.
“Leaking roofs are in your courts, not in the ministries,” the party stated.
The NPP is therefore demanding that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie retract what it considers partisan comments and clarify his reported commitment to the President’s agenda.
It warned that failure to do so should be followed by his resignation from the position of Chief Justice and, in the party’s words, a decision to formally join the NDC.
“If political commentary is his true vocation, he should resign forthwith and formally take up membership of the NDC, where such contributions are handsomely rewarded,” the NPP stated.
The party also called on President Mahama to fill the vacant Council of State position and publicly clarify any arrangement regarding the Chief Justice’s post-retirement future.
The NPP said it would organise a major press conference to present what it described as the “full record” of the Chief Justice’s conduct.
The party maintained that the Judiciary must remain independent and accountable to the Constitution and the people of Ghana, rather than to any political party, president or government agenda.
