The vetting of Ghana’s Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, took a dramatic turn today as the Minority Caucus in Parliament announced its decision to reject the nomination and boycott the proceedings altogether.
The announcement came after hours of tense exchanges between Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, which briefly forced the Appointments Committee to suspend its sitting for about thirty minutes.
When proceedings resumed, Mr. Afenyo-Markin declared that the Minority would not participate in the vetting, insisting their position be formally captured in the records.
“Mr. Chairman, we, the Minority Caucus, hereby vote en bloc to reject the nominee. The Majority may proceed with their questions, but we will not take part. Let it be recorded that the report of this committee should reflect a majority decision,” he stated.
Following the declaration, the Minority members staged a walkout, leaving the Majority side to continue the vetting on their own.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who currently serves as Acting Chief Justice, was nominated by President John Mahama to succeed Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, who was removed from office. The Minority’s decision to abstain, according to sources, stems from concerns over the process of his selection and pending legal challenges filed by Justice Torkonoo contesting her removal.
Their absence from the session effectively leaves the vetting without the usual bipartisan scrutiny, raising questions about the legitimacy and inclusiveness of the process.
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie is a long-serving Supreme Court Justice who has earned respect within the judiciary for his integrity and experience. He recently made headlines at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, where he urged journalists to uphold truth and responsibility in their work.
His nomination has been viewed by many as a natural progression, given his seniority on the bench. However, the deepening political division surrounding his appointment has cast a shadow over what should have been a routine constitutional exercise.
Under Ghana’s constitution, confirming a Chief Justice requires a two-thirds majority of Parliament members present and voting. With the Minority’s boycott, the ruling government may depend solely on its numbers to secure Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s confirmation.
The unfolding events underscore growing political tension over high-level judicial appointments, highlighting how Ghana’s governance processes continue to intersect with partisan interests. All attention now shifts to the Appointments Committee’s final report and the ensuing debate on the floor of Parliament.
