The Judicial Service has reaffirmed Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s commitment to judicial independence following criticism of remarks he made about the performance of some state-owned institutions.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 4, the Judicial Service said the Chief Justice had taken note of the mixed public reaction to comments he made during visits to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).
At MIIF, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie praised the performance of the institution and other public entities, saying some of the improvements he had witnessed made him question what Ghana had been doing over the previous eight years.
The comments sparked debate over whether the Chief Justice had entered the political arena. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) called for his resignation, while the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) urged him to exercise greater restraint in public engagements.
Some commentators, however, defended the remarks, arguing that the performance of state institutions can be assessed objectively using available data.
The Judicial Service said the Chief Justice’s comments were made in good faith and were not intended to undermine the Judiciary’s independence.
It stressed that he remains committed to upholding the integrity of the Judiciary, promoting justice and ensuring equality before the law.
