Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, has accused Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie of crossing into Ghana’s partisan political space through his recent public comments on the performance of state institutions. The legislator argued that the head of the Judiciary must maintain sufficient distance from political activity because disputes involving politicians can ultimately come before the courts.
Honourable Tampuli described the Chief Justice’s recent engagements with state institutions as inappropriate for someone occupying Ghana’s highest judicial office. He questioned why the head of the Judiciary would move from one state institution to another to publicly commend their performance while making comparisons with previous administrations.
The Gushegu MP stressed that his criticism was not based on the expectation that the Chief Justice should withdraw from society. Rather, he explained that judicial office carries responsibilities that require a level of restraint beyond that expected of ordinary citizens.
He argued that the distinction becomes more important because political disagreements frequently find their way before the Judiciary. In such circumstances, he noted, public comments that appear to favour one side could create doubts about whether the court would approach politically sensitive disputes with complete impartiality.
“Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has descended into the arena of politics. He has worn a political jersey, and we have to say it for what it is.”
Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana
Honourable Tampuli questioned the significance of the Chief Justice’s reference to the performance of state institutions over the past eight years. He argued that Ghana’s political and institutional history extends far beyond the period being discussed and that the country’s progress should not be assessed as though its history began with one administration.
The Gushegu MP further challenged the suggestion that the present administration’s achievements should be promoted from the platform of the Judiciary. He asked whether the Chief Justice could publicly advocate the success of a government’s agenda while remaining sufficiently detached when matters connected to that government reach the courts.
For Honourable Tampuli, the issue is therefore not simply about the content of the Chief Justice’s remarks but the office from which they were made. He contended that the position carries an obligation to avoid conduct that could place the Judiciary within the political contest.
The legislator consequently urged the Chief Justice to withdraw from what he described as the political arena. He maintained that politicians should occupy that space while judicial officers preserve the institutional distance necessary to command confidence across the political divide.
Honourable Tampuli added that the development should concern Ghanaians who value the independence and credibility of the Judiciary. He called for greater restraint from the Chief Justice, arguing that the authority of the office depends partly on how its occupant conducts himself in politically charged circumstances.
Gushegu MP Calls For CJ To Resign If He Chooses Politics
The Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, also urged Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to resign from the Judiciary if he intends to pursue active partisan politics. The call forms part of the MP’s wider objection to the Chief Justice’s recent public interventions, which the legislator believes could compromise perceptions of judicial independence.
Honourable Tampuli argued that Ghana’s constitutional framework deliberately separates the Judiciary from partisan political activity. He pointed to Article 127 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the independence of the Judiciary, and Article 125, which establishes the Judiciary as an institution serving the people of Ghana.
The Gushegu MP stressed that judicial independence should not be treated as a personal privilege belonging to the Chief Justice. Instead, he explained that the protection exists to safeguard the credibility of an institution whose decisions can affect politicians, government officials and ordinary citizens alike.
According to Honourable Tampuli, the Chief Justice must therefore avoid situations that could place him directly within political disputes. He argued that once a judicial officer begins to appear aligned with a political agenda, opponents may find it difficult to separate the individual’s public political posture from the constitutional office he occupies.
“We want to plead with the Chief Justice that he should keep off the arena of conflict. He should keep off the arena of politics and allow us politicians to play there.”
Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana
The Gushegu MP acknowledged that the Chief Justice remains a citizen with personal interests and aspirations outside his judicial responsibilities. However, he stressed that any decision to enter partisan politics should come only after leaving the judicial office.
Honourable Tampuli suggested that there would be nothing inherently wrong with the Chief Justice pursuing politics after resignation. In that situation, he indicated, the former judicial officer could openly identify with a political party without creating uncertainty over the position of the Judiciary.
The legislator also explained why his criticism had been carefully measured despite the seriousness of the issue. He noted that the office has historically been occupied by highly respected figures and argued that public officials must show sufficient regard for the dignity attached to the position.
“If the Chief Justice, maybe in the twilight of his career, feels that he wants to join the political space, why not? He can resign and come and wear the jersey so that we can see him as an easy target.”
Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana
His comments follows the Chief Justice’s recent remarks about the performance of state institutions under the current administration. The NPP Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah, has separately described the Chief Justice as acting like an NDC communicator, intensifying the political debate over judicial neutrality.
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