NPP: Judicial office requires judges to surrender some personal freedoms

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) contends that judicial office imposes certain limitations on the personal freedoms of judges. This assertion comes in response to remarks by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who emphasized that judicial officers should not sacrifice their humanity due to their demanding roles. The Chief Justice himself has faced criticism for participating in social events, raising questions about the compatibility of such engagements with their judicial duties.

The NPP argues that the responsibilities of judicial and military positions necessitate a greater degree of restraint in public conduct. According to Haruna Mohammed, the NPP Deputy General Secretary, accepting such roles implies a willingness to give up certain personal rights and interests. He pointed to cases where individuals in high-stakes professions have been unable to attend significant events like funerals due to their official commitments.

While the NPP does not deny judges the right to attend such events, they emphasize the need for carefully balancing personal interests against the code of conduct and the preservation of the judiciary's dignity and independence. Mohammed clarified that judges are not barred from attending personal celebrations or funerals, but they must be mindful of the heightened expectations attached to their positions.