‘We must never abandon our humanity because of judicial office’ – CJ Baffoe-Bonnie

Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has acknowledged the difficulty of balancing the demands of judicial office with personal relationships and social responsibilities, insisting that judges must not abandon their humanity because of their positions.

He made the remarks in response to criticism surrounding his recent public engagements and comments on the performance of some state institutions.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) had called on the Chief Justice to retract what it described as partisan political comments or resign from office and formally join the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The party's criticism followed remarks attributed to Baffoe-Bonnie during visits to some state institutions.

Speaking at the opening of the 45th Annual Conference of the Judges and Magistrates Association of Ghana, the Chief Justice said his participation in public events to honour close friends and relatives had, on some occasions, attracted criticism from people who believed his position required him to remain within the confines of his office.

“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 explained that there had also been occasions when, in his capacity as Chair of the Council for Legal Education and Training, he undertook official visits and engagements when it might have been safer to remain in his office.

“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,” he said.

According to the Chief Justice, some of these activities had generated strong reactions and criticism.

“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.

Baffoe-Bonnie acknowledged that judicial officers are expected to exercise professional restraint but said this should not mean completely withdrawing from human relationships and responsibilities outside the courtroom.

His comments come amid an ongoing public debate over judicial neutrality following his earlier remarks about the performance of state institutions. The Judicial Service subsequently said those observations were made in good faith and were not intended to undermine the independence of the Judiciary.

The controversy has also attracted responses from civil society and professional bodies, with CDD-Ghana urging the Chief Justice to exercise restraint and discretion in public engagements to protect perceptions of judicial impartiality.

The Chief Justice's latest remarks focused on the broader challenge of maintaining the dignity and restraint required by judicial office while continuing to engage with family, friends, professional responsibilities and society.