The Minority Caucus has boycotted the vetting process of Chief Justice nominee Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.

Addressing the Appointments Committee, Ranking Member Alexander Afenyo-Markin on Monday November 10, 2025, stated that the Minority also rejects the nomination of Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice.

Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to face vetting despite Minority's attempt to block move

According to him, they will not participate in the vetting process, citing ongoing legal issues surrounding the nomination.

“…Chairman, members of the committee, and the country, we, the Minority Caucus, hereby vote emprem to reject the nominee. We would like to state on record that the Majority may proceed with the questions. We do not intend to participate. However, we are registering in the strongest terms that we reject the nomination, and the records should reflect that the report of this committee be a Majority report,” he said.

He added: “We don’t need to vet a nominee before voting against them. We have preliminary issues well-grounded in law, and on that basis, we cannot be part of a process that may deem one right and deny another of her bona fide rights as enshrined in the Constitution. Chairman, that said, we will yield to you to proceed while we exit this Committee room with our views well documented for the record…”

Prior to the vetting on Monday, November 10, 2025, Minority Members of Parliament had filed a motion seeking to halt the vetting of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.

In a statement dated October 29, 2025, the Minority indicated that the vetting process should be suspended until all pending suits and applications concerning former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo have been heard and determined.

The Minority, citing Articles 110(1), 125–127, 144(1) and 146 of the 1992 Constitution and relevant Standing Orders, urged Parliament to suspend the Appointments Committee’s vetting and any plenary debate or approval processes.

The motion cited cases including the ECOWAS Court suit, Supreme Court and High Court applications.

"That this Honourable House, having regard to Articles 110(1), 125-127, 144(1) and 146 of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Orders 57(1)-(3), 93, 103(f), 216 and 217, resolves to suspend forthwith all further proceedings, both at the Appointments Committee and at Plenary, on the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice until all pending suits and applications directly bearing on the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo (including ECOWAS Court Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25 on provisional measures, multiple Supreme Court proceedings, and High Court applications) are finally determined or withdrawn," the statement said.

The Minority, led by John Darko, the Member of Parliament for Suame, are also demanding that the Attorney General, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, be summoned before Parliament.

They are requesting that he provides full details of all pending cases involving former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

"The Attorney General and Minister of Justice be summoned, pursuant to Article 103 of the Constitution, to appear before this House (or before such committee as the House may designate) 10 provide a comprehensive briefing on the status of all pending litigation relating to the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo," the statement added.

See their demands below:

a . The identity, jurisdictions, and procedural status of all such proceedings;

b . Any provisional measures, interim orders, or conservatory orders sought or granted

c . The reliefs sought in each proceeding and their potential implications for the office of Chief Justice;

d. Ghana's international obligations under regional treaties relevant to the ECOWAS Court proceedings;

'Gertrude Torkornoo's removal is a travesty of justice' - Minority Leader

e. The Government's assessment of potential legal and constitutional implications of proceeding with the appointment of a successor Chief Justice whilst such litigation remains pending;

f. any other matters relevant to Parliament's informed exercise of its constitutional functions under Article 144(1).

MAG/MA

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