Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has spoken out about the challenges judges face in balancing their official duties with personal relationships and social responsibilities. His remarks come after criticism over comments he made comparing the performance of some state-owned enterprises under the current National Democratic Congress administration with that of the previous New Patriotic Party government.
During visits to several state institutions, the Chief Justice was heard making observations about their performance under the two administrations. These remarks sparked a backlash, with the NPP demanding that he retract what they called partisan political comments or resign and formally join the NDC.
At the opening of the 45th Annual Conference of the Judges and Magistrates Association of Ghana, Baffoe-Bonnie addressed the controversy, explaining that his presence at public events organised to honour close friends and relatives had sometimes drawn criticism. Some believed his position as Chief Justice required him to stay within the confines of his office rather than attend such events.
“I have in recent times run into some trouble in this office precisely because I allowed my humanity to overtake my official restraint,” he said.
He added that in his role as Chair of the Council for Legal Education and Training, he had also taken part in official visits and engagements where it might have been safer to stay behind his office walls.
“There have been occasions when I have attended public events to honour close friends and relatives and others when, in my capacity as chair of the Council for Legal Education and Training, I have undertaken official visits and engagements where perhaps the safer course would have been to remain behind the walls of the office,” Baffoe-Bonnie said.
The Chief Justice acknowledged that his actions had generated strong reactions, including criticism that bordered on mischief. He said these experiences reinforced his belief that judges should never abandon their humanity simply because they hold judicial office.
“But these experiences, which have sometimes drawn a cacophony of noises, some of which border on pure mischief, have rather reminded me and reinforced my thinking that we must never abandon our humanity simply because we have assumed judicial office,” he said.
He recognised that judicial officers must maintain professional restraint but suggested that this should not mean completely withdrawing from human relationships and responsibilities outside the courtroom.
The controversy over Baffoe-Bonnie’s remarks about state-owned enterprises came after visits to institutions where he reportedly compared their performance under the NDC and NPP governments. The NPP’s call for his resignation underscores the political sensitivity surrounding such comments from a judicial figure.
This episode highlights the tension between the public expectations of judicial neutrality and the personal roles judges play in society. Baffoe-Bonnie’s response suggests he sees room for judges to engage publicly without compromising their professional responsibilities.
As the debate continues, the Chief Justice’s comments invite reflection on how judicial officers navigate their public and private lives amid the pressures of their office.
According to Joy Online.
