The Minority in Parliament has urged the Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to adequately prepare for his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

This call follows Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s referral of President John Dramani Mahama’s nomination of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice to the committee for consideration.

The referral was made when the House reconvened on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

According to citinewsroom.com report on October 22, 2025, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin expressed concerns about what he described as constitutional lapses surrounding the nomination of the Acting Chief Justice.

Speaker Bagbin refers Chief Justice nominee to Appointments Committee for vetting

He stressed that such matters must be addressed thoroughly during the vetting process to ensure transparency and adherence to constitutional provisions.

“The one who has been nominated for the Chief Justice position must come prepared to earn the approval of the House. If you come unprepared, you do not have your judgments, and we have questions about your involvement in your boss’s ‘sacking’ or concerns, you are required to answer so come prepared,” he stated.

According to him, the vetting process is not a mere formality but a crucial step in ensuring that the nominee for the country’s highest judicial office meets the required standards of competence and integrity.

He therefore advised the Acting Chief Justice to appear before the committee fully prepared to justify his nomination.

The Minority Leader’s comments follow weeks of public debate about the circumstances under which Justice Baffoe-Bonnie assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice after the exit of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Critics have questioned the legality of the acting Chief Justice to assume the vacant position and the speed with which his nomination was forwarded to Parliament.

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The Appointments Committee is expected to schedule a date for Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s vetting in the coming days.

His confirmation will make him the country’s 16th Chief Justice if approved by Parliament.

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