Minority Rejects Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice, Boycotts Vetting Proceedings

The Minority caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has officially rejected the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for the position of Chief Justice and staged a boycott of the vetting process currently underway at the Appointments Committee.

Led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the opposition lawmakers argued that the nomination is procedurally flawed and that its vetting cannot proceed while legal cases concerning the removal of the previous Chief Justice remain unresolved. They declared that they would not legitimize the process and asked that the committee’s final report reflect only the Majority’s position.

During the session, tensions escalated after Afenyo-Markin described Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a “disputed Chief Justice nominee,” prompting objections from Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and other MPs. Parliamentary Standing Orders were cited in the dispute, delaying proceedings.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, rejected the Minority’s bid to halt the process, stating that the vetting may continue despite the absence of the opposition group.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who has served on Ghana’s Supreme Court since 2008, is now facing a vetting process that has become a focal point for broader concerns about judicial independence and constitutional balance.

Civil society organisations and legal analysts are monitoring the situation closely, highlighting the implications of the on‐going stalemate for institutional trust and governance.

Ayariga defends suspension of CJ, criticises GBA’s position