Ghana Chief Justice selection may prioritize loyalty over competence, says Bentil

Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has suggested that political loyalty may play a more decisive role than legal competence in the selection of Ghana’s next Chief Justice. This assessment comes as the current Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, prepares to retire in December 2026.

Speaking on Joy News, Bentil noted that while all potential candidates are likely to possess the necessary professional qualifications, the final decision by the President often hinges on political calculation and personal comfort. He compared the process to corporate leadership appointments, where high-level choices frequently prioritize loyalty once a threshold of competence is met.

Bentil also highlighted a potential political strategy: selecting a successor with a shorter remaining tenure could allow the sitting President to appoint multiple Chief Justices before leaving office. He emphasized that the ultimate goal of the appointment should be to select a leader who strengthens public confidence in the judiciary.