'The cacophony of noises surrounding my comments were pure mischief' — Chief Justice

Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has hit back at critics of his recent public conduct, describing some of the reactions as bordering on "pure mischief."

The Chief Justice in the past weeks came under fire after he was heard making comparative remarks about the performance of some state institutions under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration and the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government during visits to those institutions.

The NPP responded by calling on him to retract what it described as partisan political comments or resign from office and formally join the NDC.

But speaking at the opening of the 45th Annual Conference of the Judges and Magistrates Association of Ghana, the Chief Justice said the backlash had only strengthened his belief that judges must remain human despite their office.

"But these experiences, which have sometimes drawn a cacophony of noises, some of which border on pure mischief, have rather reminded me and reinforced my thinking that we must never abandon our humanity simply because we have assumed judicial office," he said.

He admitted that his decision to step out of the confines of his office had landed him in controversy.

"I have in recent times run into some trouble in this office precisely because I allowed my humanity to overtake my official restraint," he said.

According to him, his attendance at public events honouring close friends and relatives, as well as official visits undertaken in his capacity as Chair of the Council for Legal Education and Training, had drawn criticism from people who believe his position requires him to stay within his office.

"There have been occasions when I have attended public events to honour close friends and relatives and others when, in my capacity as chair of the Council for Legal Education and Training, I have undertaken official visits and engagements where perhaps the safer course would have been to remain behind the walls of the office," he explained.

The Chief Justice acknowledged that judicial officers are required to exercise professional restraint. He maintained, however, that this should not mean withdrawing completely from the human relationships and responsibilities that exist outside the courtroom.