President John Dramani Mahama has charged newly sworn-in Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to lead a judiciary that guarantees fairness, protects human rights, and delivers justice without favour to the wealthy or powerful.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, November 17, President Mahama expressed confidence in Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s ability to uphold the integrity of Ghana’s justice system. He said the judiciary must remain a strong defender of civil liberties and ensure that the administration of justice is not influenced by social status or political power.
“I trust that under your stewardship, the Judiciary will ensure the protection of human rights and civil liberties and that justice is not tilted in favour of the wealthy or powerful,” the President stated.
President Mahama also urged the Chief Justice to strengthen specialised courts, particularly those dealing with family welfare, land disputes, commercial litigation, environmental protection, and corruption. Enhancing the effectiveness of these divisions, he said, would improve public confidence in the justice system and speed up resolution of cases.
He further encouraged Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to expand the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to supplement the formal court system, especially in community and family matters where mediation can offer faster and less adversarial outcomes.
“Justice must not be an abstract principle confined to law books. It must be seen, felt, and experienced in the daily life of our people,” President Mahama stressed.
The President also called for continued investment in the Judicial Training Institute to transform it into a centre of excellence for ongoing legal education, ensuring that judges and judicial staff remain well-prepared to deliver justice efficiently and impartially.
The ceremony marks the beginning of Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s tenure, with key expectations for reforms aimed at improving accessibility, transparency, and public trust in the judiciary.
