The Minority in Parliament has expressed concerns about Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s ongoing visits to key state institutions, including the Ghana Police Service and Parliament, questioning their purpose and timing.
Speaking to journalists at a press briefing on Monday, 26 January, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the Chief Justice’s visits give the impression of a “thank-you tour” following his appointment.
“And by the way, we have seen that My Lord Baffo-Bonnie and his management are all over at the various ministries, including Jubilee House,” the Minority Leader said.
“Is he on a thank-you tour? Is My Lord Baffo-Bonnie on a thank you tour, thanking the government for appointing him as Chief Justice?”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin revealed that the Minority had been notified of the Chief Justice’s planned visit to Parliament but emphasized that they would not take part.
“We, the Minority, don’t see him as a tolerant head of the judiciary. Members of the Minority were attacked when we criticised the processes leading to his nomination.”
For that reason, he said, the Minority would boycott what he called a “thank-you talk.”
“We will therefore not be part of his thank-you talk. If he wants to engage us, our offices are open. He should come and engage us and we’ll let him know the things that we find wrong,” he added.
The Minority Leader also accused the government of damaging Ghana’s credibility through its actions at home.
“A government that tolerates opaque law-making schemes orchestrated by the Central Bank, that turns prosecution into a political weapon, that attacks judicial independence by unconstitutionally removing a Chief Justice, and that allows the ongoing destruction of our rivers, is steadily destroying the very credibility it seeks to display abroad,” he said.
In recent weeks, Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has undertaken a series of courtesy and institutional visits. He paid a courtesy call to Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang in Accra, briefing her on the judiciary’s accomplishments and key initiatives, including efforts to reduce court congestion and expand Alternative Dispute Resolution services.
He also met with Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson in a visit aimed at fostering closer collaboration between the Judiciary and the Ministry of Finance. During the discussion, the Chief Justice highlighted concerns over court congestion and emphasized the need to improve working conditions within the judiciary.
Additionally, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie visited the Ministry of Education to explore opportunities for cooperation, particularly in enhancing legal education and promoting civic responsibility.
On Monday, the Chief Justice commenced a new series of institutional visits to key state bodies, including the Ghana Police Service and Parliament, aimed at strengthening collaboration and coordination across Ghana’s justice and governance institutions.
The Minority, however, has dismissed the visits as a “thank-you tour,” suggesting they appear politically motivated rather than solely focused on judicial matters.
