Tensions are rising in Parliament over the vetting of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice. The Minority has raised a firm objection, citing unresolved constitutional matters that they insist must be addressed before any parliamentary approval.
This objection follows a formal petition to President John Dramani Mahama from the Minority Caucus, which requests clarity on a pending petition seeking Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s removal from office.
During Friday’s session, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin told Parliament the caucus could not support the Business Committee’s plan to schedule the vetting.
“This House cannot be invited to approve the vetting of the nominee for Chief Justice when there are active constitutional matters before the Supreme Court and the Equal Rights Court of Justice,” he said. “We will not support this Business Committee report that says the nominee will be vetted.”
Afenyo-Markin also highlighted delays in judicial proceedings, emphasising that the nominee, responsible for empanelling the Supreme Court, is connected to unresolved legal cases.
“The man empowered to empanel the court is the very person who has been nominated,” he said. “None of the six cases has been listed for hearing. This raises serious concerns.”
The Minority’s renewed action hinges on a petition dated 7 November 2025, sent by Second Deputy Minority Whip Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib to the President. It requests updates on a petition filed by Mr Gbandi Nabin Yussif calling for Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s removal under Article 146(1) of the Constitution.
The petition asks for:
The current status of the petition.
Whether it has been sent to the Council of State.
Any measures or decisions taken by the Council.
“In view of the ongoing process regarding the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for the office of Chief Justice and his impending vetting. The Minority Caucus requests a copy of the investigative report or decision,” Hon. Shaib wrote.
Afenyo-Markin emphasised that moving forward without resolving the petition would compromise the integrity of the vetting process.
“The nominee is conflicted. How can he refuse to empanel the court in matters involving human rights concerns, yet this House is being asked to bless him with a vetting? That will not happen,” he stated.
