Kwesi Pratt has drawn attention to what he views as a significant but overlooked development, the attendance of Supreme Court and other judges at the vetting of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie who is now the Chief Justice.
Pratt said, “Most of the Supreme Court judges were there. Why would they come? Am I wrong to suspect they came to express solidarity with Justice Baffoe-Bonnie?”
He argued that their presence undermines claims that the nominee lacks support within the judiciary.
According to him, statements by the Minority indirectly impugned not only Justice Baffoe-Bonnie but also the judges who appeared at the vetting.
“To make statements that cast doubt on his integrity, and by extension all the judges present—is clearly unacceptable.”
Pratt also recounted the nominee’s long professional history. He emphasised that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s legal journey was neither partisan nor irregular.
“He practiced law in Kumasi with the likes of Sir John. Later he served under chambers led by individuals strongly opposed to the PNDC.
“He was appointed to the Court of Appeal by President Kufuor and eventually to the Supreme Court.”
While acknowledging he had personally disagreed with some of Baffoe-Bonnie’s rulings, Pratt added; “He is human. I have not been happy with some of his decisions, but that does not take away from his record.”
He maintained that nothing in the constitutional framework prevents the President from nominating a new Chief Justice while a separate legal challenge is ongoing.
