The Chief Justice of Ghana is the head of the Judiciary, the highest judicial officer in the land, and the chairperson of the Judicial Council. The role is not simply about presiding over the Supreme Court. It involves administering the entire judicial system, advising on judicial appointments, empanelling courts, and performing constitutional functions that touch the highest offices of the state.
The Chief Justice is appointed by the President, acting in consultation with the Council of State and with the approval of Parliament. Once in office, the Chief Justice is expected to be independent, subject only to the Constitution.
Understanding the role matters because the Chief Justice is central to the rule of law in Ghana. The office shapes how justice is administered, who sits on the courts, and how constitutional processes — from presidential swearing-in to the removal of officials — are handled.
Quick Facts
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The Chief Justice is established under Article 125(4) of the 1992 Constitution as the Head of the Judiciary.
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The Chief Justice is responsible for the administration and supervision of the Judiciary.
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The Chief Justice presides over the Supreme Court and is a member of all courts in Ghana.
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The Chief Justice chairs the Judicial Council, which advises on judicial appointments and reforms.
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The Chief Justice administers the oath of office to the President and Vice-President.
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The Chief Justice determines whether petitions for the removal of certain officials disclose a prima facie case.
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The current Chief Justice is Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, sworn in on 17 November 2025 .
The Constitutional Foundation
The office of the Chief Justice is established under Article 125 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides that the Chief Justice shall be the Head of the Judiciary and shall be responsible for its administration and supervision .
Article 144 sets out the appointment process: the Chief Justice is appointed by the President, acting in consultation with the Council of State and with the approval of Parliament .
The Chief Justice is also a member of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Court. The Constitution provides that the Chief Justice may request other Justices of the Superior Court to sit in the Court of Appeal or the High Court for specific matters .
Head of the Judiciary
The Chief Justice is not just the head of the Supreme Court. The office carries responsibility for the entire judicial system.
Administration and Supervision
As Head of the Judiciary, the Chief Justice is responsible for the administration and supervision of all courts in Ghana . This includes managing the Judicial Service, overseeing court operations, and ensuring that justice is delivered efficiently across the country.
President Mahama described the role in these terms: “You preside over the Supreme Court, you chair the Judicial Council, and bear the responsibility for administering justice across our country” .
Empanelling Courts
The Chief Justice is responsible for empanelling Supreme Court Justices and panel members of lower courts or tribunals . This means the Chief Justice decides which Justices sit on which cases — a significant power in any judicial system.
The Chief Justice may also create divisions of the Court of Appeal and determine where they sit .
Judicial Council Chairperson
The Chief Justice chairs the Judicial Council, which is tasked with judicial reforms and discussions about the welfare and progress of the Judiciary, as provided for in Articles 153 and 154 of the 1992 Constitution .
The Judicial Council advises the President on judicial appointments. The Constitution requires the President to act on the advice of the Judicial Council, in consultation with the Council of State, when appointing Supreme Court Justices .
Presiding Over the Supreme Court
The Chief Justice presides over sittings of the Supreme Court. In the Chief Justice’s absence, the most senior Justice presides .
The Chief Justice is also a member of all the courts in Ghana, from the lowest to the highest. This means the Chief Justice can sit on any court in the country .
Constitutional Functions
The Chief Justice performs several functions that go beyond the courts.
Swearing In the President
The Chief Justice administers the oath of office to the President-elect and Vice-President-elect. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Independence Square, is conducted by the Chief Justice in the presence of citizens and government officials .
The Chief Justice also swears in a Vice-President who assumes office following the death, removal, or resignation of a President <span class=””>.
Determining Prima Facie Cases
The Chief Justice plays a key role in the removal of certain constitutional office holders. Under Article 146 of the Constitution, when a petition is received for the removal of a Justice of the Superior Court, the Chairperson or members of the Electoral Commission, or the Special Prosecutor, the President must refer it to the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice then determines whether the petition discloses a prima facie case — that is, whether there is enough evidence to warrant further investigation. If the Chief Justice finds no prima facie case, the matter is closed. If a prima facie case is established, the Chief Justice advises the President to set up a committee to inquire into the matter .
In February 2026, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie found no prima facie case in ten petitions seeking the removal of the Electoral Commission Chairperson, her two deputies, and the Special Prosecutor .
Administering Judicial Oaths
The Chief Justice administers oaths to judges, members of the Judicial Council, and other officials as required by law.
The Current Chief Justice
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was sworn in as Ghana’s 15th Chief Justice on 17 November 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama. His appointment followed parliamentary approval on 13 November 2025 .
In his remarks at the swearing-in, Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie promised to uphold the rule of law, respect the separation of powers, and protect the Constitution. He stated: “I will respect the independence of every Judge and ensure that the Judiciary remains free from improper influence. I will also insist on accountability” .
He also highlighted the need for reforms in legal education, calling for a shift “from exclusion to inclusion, from rote learning to critical thinking, and from credentialism to competence” .
Common Misconceptions
“The Chief Justice is just the head of the Supreme Court”
The role is far broader. The Chief Justice is the Head of the Judiciary, responsible for administering all courts, chairing the Judicial Council, and performing constitutional functions.
“The Chief Justice can appoint judges alone”
The Chief Justice chairs the Judicial Council, which advises the President on judicial appointments. However, the appointment process involves the Council, the Council of State, and Parliament. Critics have argued that unilateral recommendations by the Chief Justice undermine the collaborative nature of the process .
“The Chief Justice decides all cases personally”
The Chief Justice presides over the Supreme Court and empanels courts, but does not decide every case. Other Justices hear and determine the vast majority of cases.
“The Chief Justice is above the law”
The Chief Justice is subject to the Constitution and can be removed for stated misbehaviour, incompetence, or infirmity of body or mind under Article 146 of the Constitution.
“The Chief Justice only deals with legal matters”
The Chief Justice performs constitutional functions that are political in nature, such as determining prima facie cases for the removal of officials and administering the oath of office to the President.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who appoints the Chief Justice?
The Chief Justice is appointed by the President, acting in consultation with the Council of State and with the approval of Parliament .
What is the Chief Justice’s role in the Judicial Council?
The Chief Justice chairs the Judicial Council, which advises on judicial appointments, reforms, and the welfare of the Judiciary .
Can the Chief Justice be removed?
Yes. A Justice of the Superior Court, including the Chief Justice, can be removed for stated misbehaviour, incompetence, or inability to perform the functions of office due to infirmity of body or mind .
What is the Chief Justice’s role in presidential inaugurations?
The Chief Justice administers the oath of office to the President-elect and Vice-President-elect at the swearing-in ceremony .
What is a prima facie case?
A prima facie case is one where the evidence is sufficient to warrant further investigation. In the context of removal petitions, the Chief Justice determines whether the petition meets this threshold before any further action can be taken .
Who is the current Chief Justice of Ghana?
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was sworn in as Chief Justice on 17 November 2025 .
Does the Chief Justice sit on all cases?
The Chief Justice is a member of all courts and presides over the Supreme Court, but does not personally hear every case. The Chief Justice empanels courts and assigns Justices to hear specific matters .
What to Remember
The Chief Justice of Ghana is the head of the Judiciary, the chairperson of the Judicial Council, and a constitutional officer with functions that extend well beyond the courtroom. The role combines judicial leadership, administrative responsibility, and constitutional duties.
The Chief Justice administers the courts, advises on judicial appointments, determines prima facie cases, and swears in the President. The office is powerful, but it is also constrained by the Constitution and subject to removal for misconduct.
The next time you hear about a court ruling, a judicial appointment, or a constitutional dispute, remember the office at the centre of the judicial system. The Chief Justice is not just the highest judge. The Chief Justice is the guardian of the Judiciary and a key figure in Ghana’s constitutional order.
Source: The Accra Daily Mail
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Accra Daily Mail, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
