The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has criticised Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie over recent comments about state-owned enterprises (SOEs), describing the remarks as inappropriate given his constitutional position.
The criticism follows comments made by the Chief Justice during a visit to the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) on Wednesday, September 2.
During the visit, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie praised MIIF and other public institutions under the current administration, saying some of the developments he had witnessed had left him questioning what Ghana had been doing over the previous eight years.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026/27 Ghana Bar Association Conference in Ada on Monday, September 14, GBA President Efua Ghartey said the Chief Justice’s commendation of a public institution, coupled with his comparison of its performance with that of a previous government, was troubling.
The conference is being held under the theme, “150 Years of Ghana’s Legal Evolution: Transforming the Profession and Driving its Future with Industry.”
“The recent commendation of a public institution and the comparison to a past government’s output, by no mean a person than the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, left much to be desired,” Ms Ghartey said.
She said the Bar was reluctant to interpret the comments as evidence of any particular political sentiment but nevertheless drew attention to the biblical admonition contained in Matthew 12:34.
“We do not want to believe that what happened is a fulfilment of Matthew 12:34, which says, ‘Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh,’” she stated.
GBA rejects explanation
Ms Ghartey also took issue with the response from the Judicial Secretary, which appeared to explain or defend the Chief Justice’s remarks.
She said the explanation failed to adequately address the concerns raised by the Bar.
“Respectfully, the Judicial Secretary’s attempted defence of the Chief Justice was, at best, lacklustre,” she said.
The GBA President stressed that the association’s criticism should not be interpreted as an attempt to undermine the Judiciary or compromise its independence.
Rather, she said, the Bar remained firmly committed to protecting judicial independence as guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution.
She, however, cautioned that the protection of judicial independence must go hand in hand with respect for the constitutional boundaries governing holders of public office.
Ms Ghartey specifically cited Article 128(4) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the independence of the Judiciary, and reaffirmed the GBA’s commitment to upholding that principle.
“The Bar wishes to serve a reminder that much as it is poised to protect the independence of the Judiciary, as per Article 128(4) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the guarded must stay within their bounds as dictated by their calling in the Constitution,” she said.
She stressed the importance of constitutional office holders remaining within the limits of their respective mandates and exercising their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the offices they occupy.
The comments have brought renewed attention to the delicate balance between judicial independence, constitutional accountability and public commentary by holders of high constitutional office.
