President John Mahama could appoint two successive Chief Justices before the 2024 election by choosing candidates close to retirement, according to lawyer and IMANI Africa Vice-President Kofi Bentil. He raised this point during a Wednesday appearance on JoyNews’ PM Express.
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie is set to retire later this year, which will create a vacancy at the head of Ghana’s judiciary. Bentil said that appointing judges with short tenures remaining could allow Mahama to select multiple Chief Justices before his term ends.
“If the president wants to wrestle power, he will go the route of picking people with short times to go,” Bentil said. He clarified that this was a hypothetical scenario rather than a statement about Mahama’s intentions. “I said, if he wants, okay. The reason is simple. It will give him immense power.”
Bentil emphasized that competence would remain an important consideration in the appointment process. “Competence is always important, but even in corporate life, above a certain level, the boss will pick somebody with sufficient competence and great loyalty,” he added.
All candidates under consideration for the role, Bentil said, are qualified. “There can be no mistake, regardless of who is picked. They are all really fit.”
The deciding factor, he suggested, may be the president’s comfort with a candidate. “I think that to the extent that it is the president who picks, he will pick a choice that is comfortable for him.”
Bentil also touched on the judiciary’s recent challenges, noting the appointment should help restore public confidence. “I think the best thing would be someone who projects confidence in the judiciary,” he said.
He acknowledged that no appointment would please everyone. Still, Bentil said he hoped the choice would command broad acceptance among judges, lawyers, and the public.
Despite his concerns about political calculations, Bentil expressed confidence in the pool of candidates. “I think ultimately the president will make a good choice because fortunately we have very good people over there, but he will make the choice.”
The question of who will succeed Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has taken on added significance as Ghana approaches its 2024 general election. The Chief Justice holds a central role in adjudicating electoral disputes and maintaining judicial independence.
Bentil’s comments reflect a broader debate in Ghana about judicial appointments and their timing. The possibility of appointing Chief Justices with short tenures raises questions about the balance between judicial independence and executive influence.
As the retirement date for Baffoe-Bonnie draws nearer, political watchers and legal professionals will closely monitor Mahama’s selection. The choice will shape the judiciary’s leadership amid ongoing calls for reform and stability.
The president’s eventual decision will arrive under heightened scrutiny, with the judiciary’s reputation and Ghana’s democratic processes at stake.
According to Joy Online.
