CDD-Ghana Fellow Supports Minority’s Call to Suspend CJ Nominee’s Vetting Pending Court Ruling

A Democracy and Development Fellow at CDD-Ghana, Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, has expressed support for the Minority in Parliament’s call to suspend the vetting of Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie until all court processes surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo are concluded.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, Dr. Osae-Kwapong said there is no harm in Parliament exercising caution by putting the vetting process on hold until the legal issues are fully resolved.

“What I’m saying is that it doesn’t spoil anything to put the vetting on hold and allow the court processes to come to a finality so that you don’t sort of prejudice what you think the court would do, or not do,” he explained.

He added that proceeding with the vetting while the matter remains before the courts could be seen as presuming the outcome of the judicial process.

“In principle, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a position like that, because proceeding then would sort of assume that you know what the court would say or how the court is going to rule on the substantive matter before them,” he said.

Dr. Osae-Kwapong, who also serves as Project Director at The Democracy Project, said his position is grounded in respect for judicial independence and due process, emphasising that the integrity of constitutional institutions must be preserved even in moments of political contention.

The Minority Caucus earlier this week filed a motion urging the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, to suspend the vetting of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie until all court cases challenging the removal of Justice Torkonoo have been determined.

Parliament’s Appointments Committee is scheduled to vet the Chief Justice nominee on Monday, November 10, 2025.