The Judicial Service has defended the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, on his remarks concerning the performance of state institutions, including that of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).

This comes after the Chief Justice, during his outreach visits on Wednesday, September 2, to the two state institutions, congratulated the institutions congratulated the MIIF for what he described as it doing “marvellously well. Sometimes, when we hear about the things that you have done and the things that some organisations are doing now, we wonder. Some of us keep wondering what we really have been doing in the past eight years.”

Later the same day at SSNIT, he said, “...if you compare that with the fact that, not too long ago, SSNIT was preparing to sell its prized assets like the Labadi Beach Hotel, you wonder how Ghana could have sunk so low.”

He attracted backlash after his comments began circulating online, attracting calls for his resignation from the Minority and the People’s Alliance for Governance and Accountability (PAGA). The Chief was accused of compromising the independence and political neutrality of the Judiciary.

However, in a statement issued on Friday, September 4, 2026, the Judicial Service said the comments were made in good faith and did not seek to serve any purpose that could undermine judicial independence.

“The observations were made in good faith, and were not intended to serve a purpose inimical to judicial independence,” the statement said.

The Judicial Service further reaffirmed the Chief Justice’s commitment to upholding the integrity and independence of the Judiciary and promoting justice and equality before the law.

It said the Chief Justice remained focused on ensuring that the Judiciary continues to discharge its constitutional mandate without interference.

The Judicial Service’s clarification comes amid growing debate over the comments and their implications for the perceived political neutrality and independence of the Judiciary.