Key points
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Justice Torkornoo removed after committee found misconduct.
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Justice Baffoe-Bonnie serving as Acting Chief Justice.
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Mensa-Bonsu, Kulendi, Lovelace-Johnson, and Amadu seen as contenders.
President John Dramani Mahama has removed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo from office after a constitutional committee found her guilty of misconduct.
The committee’s report concluded that elements of “stated misbehavior” were proven, leaving the president with little choice under Article 146 of the Constitution.
Justice Torkornoo, who was sworn in last year, becomes the first Chief Justice in Ghana’s Fourth Republic to be dismissed through this process.
Her exit comes at a time when the judiciary is under heavy scrutiny, with courts handling politically charged cases, corruption appeals, and constitutional disputes.
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior Supreme Court judge, has stepped in as Acting Chief Justice until a permanent appointment is made.
Paul Baffoe-Bonnie: The steady hand
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has built a reputation over decades as a cautious but firm jurist. His role in the 2013 election petition made him widely known, as his rulings balanced legal rigor with restraint.
Supporters describe him as reliable and grounded in the law, while critics argue that his cautious style may not bring the sweeping reforms many believe the judiciary needs. If confirmed, he would bring experience and stability to the top job.
Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu: The reformer
Justice Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu brings both academic depth and judicial experience. A former law professor and human rights advocate, she is respected for combining scholarship with compassion in her judgments.
Her supporters believe she would modernize the judiciary and expand access to justice, especially for women and marginalized communities. Her appointment would also add another milestone for women in Ghana’s legal system.
Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi: The pragmatist
Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, appointed to the Supreme Court in 2020, is one of the few private lawyers to move straight into the highest court.
Before joining the bench, he made his name in corporate and commercial law. He is seen as pragmatic and business-minded, with a clear grasp of how law and commerce intersect.
That makes him attractive to those who want a judiciary that supports investment and economic growth. Still, his private-sector ties raise questions about whether he could stay neutral in commercial disputes.
Avril Lovelace-Johnson: The mentor
Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson is best known for her work in reforming legal education. She has pushed to make law training more accessible and is admired by many young lawyers.
In court, she is clear and firm, with a reputation for mentoring the next generation of legal minds. Her appointment would be seen as an investment in the long-term renewal of Ghana’s judiciary.
Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu: The unifier
Justice Tanko Amadu, the first Muslim to sit on Ghana’s Supreme Court, is valued for his calm and balanced approach. He has spent his career trying to bridge divides across religion, culture, and law.
Seen as a consensus-builder, his leadership could foster unity in a judiciary that is often under political and public pressure. His elevation would also carry symbolic importance for inclusivity in Ghana’s governance.
The decision ahead
President Mahama now faces a critical choice. The next Chief Justice will inherit a judiciary dealing with sensitive political cases, calls for faster justice delivery, and demands for reform.
Each of the front-runners brings a different vision: steadiness, reform, pragmatism, mentorship, or unity. Beyond competence, the president’s choice will also signal what kind of judiciary his government wants to leave behind.
