Ghana Catholic Bishops caution Chief Justice over perceived political remarks

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has urged Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to maintain the appearance of political neutrality following controversial remarks made during visits to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).

The controversy stems from the Chief Justice’s reference to the “past eight years,” a phrase the Bishops noted could be interpreted in Ghana’s political context as a comparison between the current administration and its predecessor. While the Bishops acknowledged that visiting public institutions is proper, they warned that such comments could be perceived as partisan judgments, potentially undermining public trust in the Judiciary.

The Conference rejected calls from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the Chief Justice to resign, describing the demands as disproportionate. The Bishops noted that while the Judicial Service clarified the remarks were made in good faith without intent to compromise independence, the office of Chief Justice requires a higher standard of conduct to ensure the courts remain seen as being above partisan contests.