'Avoid too much alignment with government, NDC' — The People’s Forum urges Chief Justice

Pressure group The People’s Forum has called on the Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to take steps to safeguard the independence of the judiciary and avoid actions that could create perceptions of political alignment.

The group says public confidence in the courts may be eroded if the judiciary is seen as too close to the executive arm of government or the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The concerns were contained in an open letter dated June 18 and signed by its Team Lead, Dennis Miracles Aboagye.

“The judiciary is not merely a branch of government. It is the last refuge of the citizen who has no one else to turn to,” the group stated.

The letter argued that the credibility of the judiciary depends not only on its decisions but also on public perception of its independence.

It cautioned that any appearance of proximity between the judiciary and political actors could weaken democratic governance.

“The moment that wall is perceived, even merely perceived, to be porous, the consequences for public confidence, democratic order, and social cohesion are severe and lasting,” it added.

The group further cited recent public concerns, including the Chief Justice’s presence at official and social events involving government officials which they say raise questions about institutional neutrality.

It also referenced the Chief Justice’s participation in a government delegation to Toronto for the Black Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, describing it as problematic in terms of optics and judicial independence.

According to the letter, such associations may create a perception that the judiciary may be influenced by executive interests, especially in cases involving government policies currently before the courts.

The People’s Forum urged the Chief Justice to ensure strict adherence to Article 127 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees judicial independence in both judicial and administrative functions.