An open letter to Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie
There is an old, deeply uninspired rumour floating around our Republic that judges are supposed to be like ghosts: seen only in robes, heard only in written rulings, and entirely devoid of political blood. How utterly boring.
Thankfully, our esteemed Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has bravely decided to shatter this archaic stereotype. Why remain a quiet, dusty umpire of the law when you can actively participate in the grand, theatrical national politics?
Lately, the Chief Justice’s public commentary has taken on a delightful, highly spirited tone. Whether he is dropping hot takes on whether judges should sit during the legal vacation or offering unexpected praise for institutional bodies like SSNIT with the enthusiasm of a seasoned campaign manager, it is quite a show.
To the untrained eye, or to those pesky, literal-minded critics who think a gavel should only strike wood, his speeches sound less like impartial jurisprudence and more like a draft memo from the ruling party’s strategy cell. But let us not jump to cynical conclusions.
It is highly possible that the Chief Justice is simply pioneering a bold new school of thought: “holistic jurisprudence.” In this avant-garde discipline, the boundary between an unbiased legal verdict and a catchy political slogan is intentionally blurred for maximum artistic effect.
Sharing the National Couch
Then, of course, there is the charming matter of public fraternisation. Critics have pointed out, with entirely unnecessary dramatic flair, that the Chief Justice appears to be “in bed” with the executive arm of government.
To this, we must object with pure logic, that they are not in bed, but are simply sharing an incredibly cozy, public couch. Whether it is arriving in style at the Jubilee House or mingling at high-profile state functions, the sight of our highest judicial officer rubbing shoulders with the political elite is nothing short of heartwarming.
It shows a level of collaborative team spirit that would make any corporate HR manager weep with pure joy. After all, why suffer through a tedious, old-fashioned system of checks and balances when you can just have one big, happy, harmonious family outing?
When defensive statements pop up insisting that his controversial comments, or his defense of his own elevation to the top bench, were made purely in “good faith”, we must nod sagely. Of course it is good faith. It takes immense faith to believe that the public won’t notice the choreography.
Keeping Up Appearances
Still, a few stubborn, old-fashioned citizens insist that the judiciary should remain strictly independent. They cling to the quaint notion that when the line between the court and the crown disappears into thin air, public trust tends to pack its bags and leave with it.
To appease these fragile souls, perhaps the Chief Justice could slightly bridle his public enthusiasm. Just a touch. If not for the sake of actual, boring neutrality, then at least for the sake of proper theatrical pacing.
We certainly wouldn’t want the average citizen getting entirely confused, wandering past the security gates, and showing up at the Supreme Court expecting an energetic party rally, even if the speeches are already starting to sound remarkably identical anyway.
Author
Mr Emmanuel Amponsah is the former Editor of The Spectator paper in Ghana.
