Residents of the Oti Region have raised concerns about the fine line between public accountability and political neutrality after Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie commented on the performance of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) and other state-owned enterprises.
While some residents defended the Chief Justice’s right to assess the performance of public institutions, others argued that his comparison of current developments with the previous eight years risked creating the impression of partisan commentary.
The Chief Justice made the remarks during a visit to MIIF on Wednesday, where he commended the Fund and other public institutions for what he described as improvements in their operations.
He reportedly questioned what Ghana had been doing over the previous eight years in light of some of the developments he had observed and information presented to him about the performance of state institutions.
His comments have since sparked debate among residents in the region over whether the head of the Judiciary should publicly comment on matters with political and economic implications.
Mr Francis Boyesah Gesaloge, a resident of Kadjebi in the Akan District, said the Chief Justice was within his rights to acknowledge good performance and encourage state institutions to do better.
He, however, disagreed with bringing the previous administration into the discussion.
According to him, such comparisons could give the remarks a political undertone, which he said was inappropriate for the head of the Judiciary.
Mr Yakubu Obuaba, a political analyst, shared a similar view.
He said there was nothing inherently wrong with the Chief Justice commending state institutions for improved performance or expressing concern about poor management.
He, however, cautioned that references to the record of a previous government could create a perception of partisanship.
“The office is special, and perception is important. If people begin to perceive the Chief Justice as partisan, it is not the best for the Judiciary,” he said.
Mr Obuaba noted that public institutions could and should be assessed using measurable indicators, citing reported growth in Assets Under Management from about GH¢1.7 billion to GH¢3.2 billion between 2021 and 2022 as an example of the type of data that could be used in assessing institutional performance.
He maintained that although the Chief Justice, like any other Ghanaian, could express views on national matters, the constitutional position he occupied required greater sensitivity because of its implications for public confidence in the Judiciary.
Different views
Not all residents shared concerns about the Chief Justice’s intervention.
Mr Mustapha Abdul Ganiyu of Dambai-Israel said the observations were justified and argued that economic figures and institutional records should be used to determine whether state-owned enterprises were making progress.
He also rejected suggestions that the Chief Justice should avoid commenting on political or economic issues, saying his position within Ghana’s governance structure gave him a legitimate interest in national development.
Mr Mark Takasi of the Krachi Nchumuru District, however, took a more critical position, describing the remarks as inappropriate for a Chief Justice.
He said the comments sounded more like partisan political communication than statements expected from the head of the Judiciary.
Mr Takasi argued that the Chief Justice must remain measured and above partisan politics, particularly because comments from such a high office could be interpreted as criticism of opposition political parties.
He said protecting public confidence in the Judiciary required senior judicial officers to be cautious about statements that could raise doubts about their neutrality.
Despite the differences, the residents agreed on the broader need for stronger accountability and improved performance within state institutions.
They said public resources must be managed transparently and efficiently, while holders of constitutionally independent offices should exercise the level of restraint necessary to protect public trust in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
