A former Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Emeritus Professor Kwesi Yankah, has raised concerns about the conduct of Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, arguing that recent developments have undermined public confidence in the judiciary and raised questions about the independence and moral authority of the office.

In a social media write-up on September 5, 2026, titled “CHEAP JUSTICE?”, Professor Yankah questioned whether Ghana’s justice system was losing its value and whether the scale of justice had become tilted.

He argued that the office of Chief Justice carries a significant responsibility and that anyone who occupies it must be prepared to bear the weight and scrutiny that come with the position.

Professor Yankah identified four major concerns regarding Chief Justice Baffoe Bonnie’s conduct, including his public appearance at a thanksgiving service, his participation in government-related activities, his involvement in a government delegation to the United States and Canada and his recent comments on the performance of state-owned enterprises.

1.Dancing at a church service

Professor Yankah recalled that shortly after Baffoe Bonnie was appointed Chief Justice in 2025, he was captured on television dancing and celebrating at a thanksgiving church service.

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While acknowledging that there was nothing inherently wrong with the Chief Justice attending or participating in a church service, Professor Yankah suggested that the public display raised questions about the image expected of someone occupying such a high judicial office.

He described him as someone he knew from his days at Sarbah Hall at the University of Ghana and said he was aware of the Chief Justice’s energetic dance moves, joking that, if unrestrained, they could “invite the Fire Service.”

2.Participation in government activities

Professor Yankah also raised concerns about the Chief Justice’s participation in activities involving the government.

He recalled that in May 2026, Baffoe Bonnie travelled to the United States and Canada as part of a government delegation for the World Cup, where he joined celebrations surrounding Ghana’s matches.

“The last straw was this September when he ignored multiple judicial issues overflowing his in-tray, and strayed into the realm of state-owned enterprises which was none of his formal business. Here, CJ waxed political without apologies. He stunned his audience, comparing the high productivity of current staff, to their dismal performance in the previous Government now in opposition. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie only stopped short chanting a party slogan.”

3.Participation in Sammy Gyamfi’s in-law’s funeral

He added that the Chief Justice later participated in another government delegation to mourn with the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod Sammy Gyamfi, following the death of his in-law.

Although Professor Yankah acknowledged that there was “no problem” with these activities, he said they nevertheless raised eyebrows because of the Chief Justice’s position and the need to maintain a clear distinction between the judiciary and the executive.

4.Comments on state-owned enterprises

Professor Yankah described the Chief Justice’s recent comments on state-owned enterprises as the “last straw.”

According to him, while several judicial matters were demanding attention, the Chief Justice ventured into the area of state-owned enterprises and made comments that appeared political.

Professor Yankah said the Chief Justice compared the productivity of current workers with what he described as the poor performance of workers under a previous government, which is now in opposition.
Although he noted that the Chief Justice stopped short of openly declaring a political party slogan, Professor Yankah argued that the comments had generated significant public criticism and questions about judicial independence.

He cited reactions from members of the public, including claims that the Chief Justice had become a “government PR” figure, that judicial independence was under threat, and that the judiciary was now being led by a politician.

Professor Yankah said the Chief Justice’s recent conduct had created what he described as a serious perception problem for the judiciary.

He argued that the incident represented an unprecedented situation that had generated anger and shock among sections of the public, adding that it had raised questions about whether the Chief Justice still possessed the moral authority required to lead the judiciary.

Professor Yankah noted that Chief Justice Baffoe Bonney has only a few months left before retirement, having assumed the position relatively close to the end of his judicial career.
Against that backdrop, he suggested that the Chief Justice’s recent comments could be interpreted as a signal to consider an early retirement.

“In the current case though, our CJ has only three months to retire, having gotten his new position close to his send-off.

“If so, the ‘tongue-slip’ should be simply interpreted as, dear President, application for early retirement.”



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