{
  "id": 10971637,
  "title": "'The robe may require restraint but it must never require us to cease being human' - CJ Baffoe-Bonnie",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/the-robe-may-require-restraint-but-it-must-never-require-us-to-cease",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T15:20:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "3News",
    "slug": "3news",
    "url": "https://3news.com/news/the-robe-may-require-restraint-but-it-must-never-require-us-to-cease-being-human-cj-baffoe-bonnie"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has warned judges and magistrates that their humanity should never be sacrificed in the pursuit of their judicial duties. Speaking at the 45th Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana, he emphasized that the demands of the bench should not interfere with maintaining personal relationships and a balanced life outside the courtroom. The conference, themed \"Balance Beyond the Bench - Harmonising Duty, Justice and Life,\" aimed to explore how judicial officers can combine the required discipline with being human.\n\nChief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie highlighted the significant demands of judicial office, which include intellectual discipline, emotional restraint, patience, and courage. He pointed out that every judgment a judge makes is made by a human being who holds the fate of others—such as a person's liberty, a family's home, a business's survival, or a child's future—in their hands. He stressed that judicial officers must remain aware of their own humanity while dealing with the burdens associated with their positions.\n\nHe shared personal experiences where he overstepped the line of official restraint by engaging in public appearances and official engagements, which reinforced the importance of not abandoning one's humanity after becoming a judge. He cautioned that while a more cautious approach might sometimes be preferable, it should not lead to the abandonment of one's humanity. He urged judges to make time for their families and relationships, stressing that family relationships are an essential part of a judge's humanity.\n\nThe Chief Justice warned against postponing the realization that too much time might be spent serving the judiciary at the expense of loved ones. He emphasized that a balanced judicial officer is better equipped to serve the public, and that the health and welfare of judges and magistrates has implications for judicial independence, institutional integrity, and the quality of justice. However, he emphasized that the pursuit of balance should not be used as an excuse to neglect judicial duties. He called on the Association to foster a professional culture where judicial excellence and accountability go hand in hand with the well-being and humanity of judicial officers.",
  "summary": "Speaking at the 45th Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG), the Chief Justice said judicial officers must learn to combine the discipline required by their office with the realities of being human.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie warns judges to maintain humanity in judicial duties.",
    "Balancing judicial responsibilities with personal life is essential for judges.",
    "Overstepping humanity can lead to neglect of judicial duties."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}