The Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has underscored that occupying judicial office should not strip judges of their humanity and social connections.
He was responding to backlash over his recent comments on the performance of some state institutions.
The Chief Justice had, during visits to some institutions, compared their performance under the current NDC government and the previous NPP administration.
The NPP subsequently asked him to withdraw the comments, which it described as partisan, or step down and join the NDC.
Speaking at the opening of the 45th Annual Conference of the Judges and Magistrates Association of Ghana, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said combining judicial duties with personal relationships has not always been easy.
He explained that his decision to honour close friends and family at public events had sometimes drawn criticism from those who felt a Chief Justice should stay confined to his office.
“I have in recent times run into some trouble in this office precisely because I allowed my humanity to overtake my official restraint,” he stated.
He also cited his official duties as Chair of the Council for Legal Education and Training, where his visits and engagements could have been avoided by staying in his office.
“There have been occasions when I have attended public events to honour close friends and relatives and others when, in my capacity as chair of the Council for Legal Education and Training, I have undertaken official visits and engagements where perhaps the safer course would have been to remain behind the walls of the office,” he said.
While admitting that such appearances had triggered strong reactions, he insisted judges should not be forced to cut off all human ties.
“But these experiences, which have sometimes drawn a cacophony of noises, some of which border on pure mischief, have rather reminded me and reinforced my thinking that we must never abandon our humanity simply because we have assumed judicial office,” he added.
He noted that although judges must exercise restraint, it should not mean total withdrawal from social life outside the courtroom.
