Baffoe Bonnie pledges to strengthen transparency and public confidence in judiciary

Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has pledged to promote a fair, transparent and accessible judicial system that serves all Ghanaians without regard to status, wealth or influence.

Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, he said his focus, if approved, would be to restore public trust in the judiciary and reinforce its independence.

“The nation needs a judiciary that does not merely interpret the law but elevates the nation’s conscience,” he said in his opening remarks. “With your guidance and cooperation, and that of all stakeholders, I pledge to restore confidence in our judiciary and leave it stronger than I found it.”

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said he was committed to ensuring that the courts operate with transparency and efficiency, and that justice remains accessible to all citizens.

“I am mindful of the judiciary’s constitutional role not as a political actor, but as a guardian of rights, a check against abuses, and the final arbiter of the rule of law,” he said. “Access to justice should not depend on who you are or your connections.”

He noted that beyond adjudicating cases, the office of the Chief Justice carries the responsibility of safeguarding the credibility of the justice system, adding that the law must remain “a shield for the weak and a restraint upon the powerful.”