Judicial independence requires political restraint – Kwaku Azar cautions Chief Justice

Legal expert Prof Kwaku Asare has advised Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to moderate his public statements, especially when they may be seen as taking a political stance. This advice came after the Chief Justice praised the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) and other state-owned entities during a visit, while questioning Ghana's progress over the past eight years.

Prof Asare expressed concern not about the accuracy of the Chief Justice's remarks, but about the potential political interpretations that could arise from his choice of words. He pointed out that the phrase "the past eight years" carries significant partisan undertones in Ghana's political climate, and could be perceived as comparing two political administrations if voiced by the Judiciary's head.

Prof Asare emphasized that judges, while retaining their personal views as citizens, must exercise greater caution in their public statements, with the Chief Justice having an even greater responsibility due to his role. He stressed that judicial independence requires restraint from both politicians and judges, noting that the judiciary must remain neutral in order to maintain public trust.