“CHIEF JUSTICE MUST RESIGN!” — NPP DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY DEMANDS, WANTS HIM SENT TO COUNCIL OF STATE

Haruna Mohammed accuses Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie of making political comments and calls for his resignation

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has intensified its criticism of Chief Justice Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, with the party’s Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, demanding his resignation and subsequent appointment to the Council of State.

Haruna Mohammed made the call during an appearance on The KeyPoints on September 5, 2026, arguing that recent comments by the Chief Justice amounted to an error that warranted an apology or his departure from the judiciary.

‘He Must Retract and Apologise or Resign’

According to Haruna Mohammed, the Chief Justice must either publicly retract his comments and apologise or step down from office.

“The Chief Justice must retract and apologise or resign and be sent to the Council of State,” he stated.

He further argued that there is already a vacancy on the Council of State which could accommodate the Chief Justice should he leave office.

NPP TAKES AIM AT CHIEF JUSTICE

The controversy follows comments made by Justice Baffoe-Bonnie during an outreach engagement at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).

The Chief Justice praised the performance of some state-owned institutions, questioning why similar results had not been achieved during the previous eight years.

Those comments have triggered criticism from sections of the opposition, with Haruna Mohammed accusing the Chief Justice of sounding like a political communicator for President John Dramani Mahama.

“If you did not see the video, you will think that he is an NDC communicator who has been tasked to go and praise the President,” Haruna said.

‘THE CHIEF JUSTICE ERRED’

Haruna Mohammed insists the Chief Justice’s comments were inappropriate and said constitutional provisions, the Code of Conduct for Judges and other legal documents support his position.

He argued that the head of Ghana’s judiciary must maintain the necessary neutrality and avoid statements that could create the perception of political involvement.

For the NPP Deputy General Secretary, the matter is therefore not simply about a choice of words but about the credibility and independence of the judiciary.

JUDICIARY RESPONDS

But the Chief Justice’s office has rejected suggestions that the comments were politically motivated.

Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed, in a statement dated September 4, said the observations were made in good faith and were not intended to undermine judicial independence.

The statement acknowledged the mixed public reaction to the Chief Justice’s comments but maintained that there was no malicious intent behind them.

POLITICAL FIRESTORM DEEPENS

The controversy has now opened another political and institutional debate over the boundaries between the judiciary, politics and public commentary.

While the NPP is demanding an apology or resignation, the Judicial Service maintains that the Chief Justice’s remarks were made without malice.

The clash has consequently shifted the spotlight onto Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s public comments, judicial independence and the expected conduct of the country’s top judicial officer.

HARUNA’S MESSAGE IS CLEAR

For the NPP Deputy General Secretary, there is no middle ground.

Retract and apologise — or resign.

And if he leaves office, Haruna Mohammed believes the Chief Justice should be sent to the Council of State.

The demand is certain to keep the political and legal debate raging in the days ahead.