Africa-Press – Ghana. President John Dramani Mahama on Monday swore-in Mr Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the 16th Chief of of Ghana.
The inauguration is in line with Article 144 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
Prior to his inauguration, Mr Baffoe-Bonnie who is the most senior Supreme Court Justice has been the Acting Chief Justice for the past seven months following the suspension and subsequent removal from office of Lady Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, based on the recommendations of the Justice Gabriel Pwamang Committee.
The President said the ceremony marked a significant milestone and it reaffirmed their collective dedication to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary as an equal branch of government.
The President said: “The Chief Justice is not only the head of the judiciary, but he is also the symbol and guarantor of justice for our people,” he said.
President Mahama said the Constitution enshrined the principle that the courts, as outlined in Article 125, shall administer justice in the name of the Republic of Ghana, guided by the principles of freedom, equality, probity, and accountability.
“And so, as Chief Justice, you are the first guardian of these principles within the judicial arm. Judicial independence and separation of powers,” he said.
“The strength of our democracy depends on a delicate yet essential balance of powers among the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary.”
President Mahama reiterated that each branch of Government was supposed to operate independently, and yet they had to collaborate to serve the common good.
“And I’m confident that under your leadership, my Lord Chief Justice, the judiciary will continue to uphold its constitutional mandate without fear or favor, and as you said in your oath, without affection or ill will.”
President Mahama said in recent years, public institutions worldwide and in countries have been questioned, scrutinised, and sometimes criticized.
He said Ghanaians want institutions that worked and could be trusted, saying, “The judiciary in particular must be above reproach. One single act of corruption by a judicial officer can undermine years of hard work and erode public confidence in the entire system. ”
He told the new Chief Justice that one of his most urgent tasks was to strengthen integrity within the judiciary, and that included firm but fair disciplinary standards for judges and staff, transparent and predictable procedures for case assignments and management.
The other task should be to have strong internal mechanisms to address allegations of misconduct and a culture where ethical conduct was rewarded, and wrongdoing was swiftly sanctioned.
“Our citizens must know and feel that justice in Ghana is not for sale, and that no one, regardless of their power or status, is too powerful or too humble to be held accountable under the law,” President Mahama said.
Mr Justice Baffoe-Bonnie expressed his gratitude to the President for the privilege given to serve the nation as Chief Justice.
“Mr. President, in accepting this office, I give my solemn word that I will uphold the rule of law, respect the separation of powers and protect the constitution”.
In attendance was Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
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