Parliament has approved Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the Chief Justice of Ghana, following his vetting by the Appointments Committee earlier this week.

His confirmation on Thursday, November 13, came after the Committee, by a majority decision, recommended that the House adopt its report endorsing his nomination.

Presenting the Committee’s report, Chairman Bernard Ahiafor said the decision was reached after “extensive deliberations and careful consideration” of the nominee’s credentials and performance during the vetting.

“The Committee therefore recommends to the House, by majority decision, the adoption of the report for the approval of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana,” he said.

Mr. Ahiafor praised Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s exceptional competence, deep knowledge of the law, and strong sense of judicial ethics, adding that his responses reflected “professionalism, clarity, and intellectual depth.”
“The Committee is satisfied that the nominee possesses the qualifications, temperament, and commitment to constitutional principles required of a Chief Justice,” he noted.

However, the approval process was not without controversy. The Minority caucus opposed the motion and demanded a secret ballot to record their dissent formally.

A heated debate ensued, after which Speaker Alban Bagbin ruled that the motion had been carried through a voice vote, declaring:

“Honourable members, I think the I’s have it.”

Unsatisfied with the ruling, the Minority invoked Order 151(3) of Parliament’s Standing Orders and called for a headcount to verify the outcome.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie now succeeds Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice, marking another milestone in Ghana’s judicial leadership transition.