President John Dramani Mahama has urged the newly sworn-in Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to make it a priority to ensure that the judiciary remains honest, trustworthy and free from corruption.

This followed the swearing-in of the Chief Justice at the Presidency on Monday, November 17, 2025.

President told the new Chief Justice that one of his immediate responsibilities is to ensure the judiciary upholds strong integrity.

“My Lord Chief Justice, one of your most urgent tasks is to strengthen integrity within the judiciary,” the President said.

He added that “An independent judiciary is not a favour to the courts; it is a constitutional necessity sometimes criticised.”

He also pointed out that, “Our people want institutions that work, but they also demand institutions that they can trust. The judiciary in particular must be above reproach. One single act of corruption by a judicial officer can undermine years of hard work and erode public confidence in the entire system.”

Detailing four arears that needs the attention of the Juciary, the President mentioned “firm but fair disciplinary standards for judges and staff”, as well as “transparent and predictable procedures for case assignments and management”.

He further stated the need for “strong internal mechanisms to address allegations of misconduct” and “a culture where ethical conduct is rewarded and wrongdoing is swiftly sanctioned.”

President Mahama stressed that the justice system must be fair and open to all people.

“Our citizens must know and feel that justice in Ghana is not for sale, and that no one, regardless of their power or status, is too powerful or too humble to be held accountable under the law.”

President John Dramani Mahama has officially sworn in Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the new Chief Justice.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was officially sworn into office on Monday, November 17, 2025, at a ceremony held at the Jubilee House.

He is now mandated to occupy the seat of the former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, who was dismissed by the President.

The ceremony was attended by high-ranking dignitaries, including the Vice President, members of the Council of State, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the leadership of Parliament, and a full complement of Supreme Court Justices, alongside the new Chief Justice's immediate family.

President Mahama, in his address, hailed Justice Baffoe-Bonnie's valuable experience and commitment to the rule of law, urging him to prioritise judicial independence and the accelerated disposition of cases.

Accepting the mantle of leadership, the new Chief Justice took the prescribed oaths and immediately outlined his vision for the third arm of government, centred on comprehensive institutional reform.

Meanwhile, one of the leading contenders for the NPP’s National Chairmanship, John Boadu, had warned Parliament not to downplay the Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s, remarks on notorious criminal Atta Ayi’s prison sentence.

In 2005, Justice Paul gave Atta Ayi a 70-year prison sentence, convicting Atta Ayi of multiple counts of robbery and conspiracy to rob.

Twenty years later, he addressed the issue, citing it as an example in response to a question about sentencing guidelines and recent concerns over lengthy sentences for minor, non-violent offences during his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for his appointment as Chief Justice nominee.

According to him, the unusually lengthy sentence he gave Atta Ayi was to ensure the safety of his family; a shorter sentence could have allowed the criminal to target them after his release. emphasised that while sentencing guidelines provide a framework, judges must sometimes exercise discretion to address the broader context of a case, including public safety and the protection of vulnerable parties.

“The judges and magistrates, they are trained, they have sentencing guidelines,” he said. “But sometimes they have to go beyond it. In my youthful days, I gave somebody 70 years, Atta Ayi.

"I gave him 70 years. And what I told myself was that if Atta Ayi was given 30 years and he comes back, my family will be the first he will attack. So by the time he comes back after 70 years, I will be dead and gone,” he said lightheartedly to laughter in the audience,” he noted.

NPP’s aspiring Chairman is not content with the Justice’s answer, raising concerns about his reputation as the soon-to-be highest judicial officer in Ghana and his impartiality in future cases.