President John Dramani Mahama has pledged unwavering commitment to the independence of the judiciary as he swore in new Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
He said it is a “constitutional necessity” to ensure the independence of the judiciary as that gives a protection to all citizens including the President.
President Mahama administered the oath of allegiance, oath of secrecy and oath of office to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as he takes over in a substantive role as Ghana’s Chief Justice.
He received an overwhelming majority headcount in Parliament to be approved for the role.
This came in contrast to the controversy before and during his vetting.
The Minority in Parliament had kicked against his vetting, praying the Speaker not to go ahead as a result of the multiple cases filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) members (MPs) walked out prior to the vetting by the Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10.
President Mahama noted that the judiciary is a key arm of government and must play its part in the balance of power.
He said the independence of that arm of government must not be toyed with, pledging his.
“Today, as president, I pledge my unwavering commitment to the independence of the judiciary,” he vowed.
“And I wish to say that an independent judiciary is not a favour to the courts [but] it is a constitutional necessity and the protection of every citizen including the president.”
He, therefore, stressed that “we must therefore jealously safeguard the institutional, financial and adminsitrative autonomy of our courts”.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie becomes the ninth Chief Justice in the Fourth Republic and the seventh in the 21st century.