Minority slams Chief Justice over institutional “Thank You Tour”
29th January 2026
The Minority in Parliament on Monday publicly criticized Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie over what they describe as a partisan display in his recent visits to various government institutions.
This follows concerns about the independence and perceived neutrality of the judiciary in the country.
Addressing journalists, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin announced that the decision to boycott engagements with the Chief Justice, including a scheduled courtesy visit to Parliament.
He described Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as an “intolerant head of the judiciary” and questioned the motivation behind his series of institutional visits, which he labeled a “thank you tour” to express gratitude to the government for his appointment.
“We have noted that the Chief Justice and his management are visiting several ministries, including Jubilee House,” Afenyo-Markin said.
“Is this a Thank You Tour? Is my Lord Baffoe-Bonnie going around appreciating the government for his appointment as Chief Justice?” he added, emphasizing that the Minority would only engage formally at their offices to discuss issues relating to the judiciary.
The boycott is part of a broader context of political tensions surrounding Baffoe-Bonnie’s appointment.
The Minority lawmakers had previously declined to participate in his vetting, citing concerns over the circumstances surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and the potential implications for judicial independence.
This episode follows years of debates about the impartiality of Ghana’s judiciary, with opposition members asserting that political affiliations have increasingly influenced key appointments.
On Monday, the Chief Justice met Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to discuss collaboration between the legislative and judicial arms of government.
During the engagement, Baffoe-Bonnie outlined initiatives aimed at reforming the judiciary, including improving access to justice, establishing specialized courts for issues such as illegal mining, introducing shift systems to reduce delays in court proceedings, and enhancing legal education to align with modern standards.
Despite these discussions, the Minority maintained that Baffoe-Bonnie’s visits to other government ministries, including the Education and Finance ministries, suggest partiality toward the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Critics argue that such actions may create a perception of dual standards in governance—favoring institutions or individuals aligned with the government while marginalizing dissenting voices.