[Profile]: Paul Baffoe-Bonnie takes over as Acting Chief Justice following Torkornoo’s suspension

Following the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior of the remaining justices of the Supreme Court, has assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice of Ghana.

The transition comes at a critical time for the nation’s judiciary, as a five-member committee begins its work to probe three petitions seeking the Chief Justice’s removal for alleged misconduct.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, born on December 26, 1956, brings more than three decades of experience to the helm of Ghana’s judiciary. A distinguished legal mind and former tax inspector, he has held several positions across the judicial spectrum — from Circuit Court Judge to Justice of the Court of Appeal before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2008.

His early career also included roles in the Ghana Prisons Service and the Internal Revenue Service, where he served as Head of Legal for the Eastern and Volta Regions.

A respected alumnus of Konongo-Odumase Secondary School, the University of Ghana, and the Ghana School of Law, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is widely known for his expertise in constitutional law, taxation, prison administration, and election law. He currently chairs key committees within the judiciary, including the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council, the Election Management Committee, and the Finance Committee. His reputation for integrity and legal acumen makes him a steadying figure in this transitional period.

Meanwhile, the committee investigating the petitions against Justice Torkornoo has commenced work but without a fixed timeline.

According to Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, “The constitution does not impose timelines,” but he expressed confidence that the experienced members — including two Supreme Court Justices, a former Auditor-General, a military officer, and a university professor — will act “within a reasonable time.”

President Mahama, who suspended the Chief Justice upon a prima facie determination, formed the committee in consultation with the Council of State, in line with Article 146(6) of the Constitution.