The Judicial Service has clarified that Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s recent appearance at the Black Stars camp in Canada was a private engagement undertaken during his official leave and financed entirely with his personal resources.
The clarification follows public discussion and commentary after photographs emerged showing the Chief Justice interacting with members of Ghana’s senior national football team during the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Canada.
In a statement issued on June 19, the Judicial Service acknowledged the public interest generated by the images, noting that scrutiny of public office holders remains an essential component of democratic governance. However, it stressed that the circumstances surrounding the visit had been misunderstood.
According to the Service, the Chief Justice was on approved vacation at the time of the trip and travelled to Canada in his personal capacity rather than on official state business.
While in the country, he visited the Black Stars camp to encourage the players and demonstrate support for the national team as a Ghanaian and a sports enthusiast.
The statement explained that the gesture was purely patriotic and should not be interpreted as carrying any political or institutional implications.
The Judicial Service further indicated that photographs from the visit had prompted commentary and speculation that failed to accurately represent the facts.
Addressing concerns about judicial neutrality, the statement emphasised that judges are not expected to isolate themselves from society or avoid participation in national activities.
“What the Constitution requires of judges is independence of mind, fidelity to the law, and impartiality in the discharge of their judicial functions,” the statement read.
“These are the principles that guide the conduct of the Chief Justice and all judicial officers.”
The Service also pointed out that interactions among individuals holding different constitutional offices are inevitable in both formal and informal settings.
“The mere fact of such encounters cannot, without more, reasonably be construed as evidence of partisanship, bias, or political affiliation,” the release added.
According to the Judicial Service, national symbols and institutions, including the Black Stars, often serve as unifying forces for citizens regardless of their professional or constitutional responsibilities.
It therefore urged the public to place the matter in its proper context and disregard what it described as unfounded attempts to assign ulterior motives to the Chief Justice’s visit.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public trust in the judiciary through the continued exercise of its constitutional mandate with independence, integrity, impartiality and adherence to the rule of law.
