Justice Pwamang Takes Over as Acting Chief Justice as Baffoe-Bonnie Proceeds on Leave

Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang has assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice following the departure of Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie from the jurisdiction for a 13-day absence, the Judiciary has announced.

In a circular dated November 11, 2026, and circulated to Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court, as well as Circuit Court judges, magistrates, directors, heads of units and court registrars, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie confirmed he would be away from Thursday, November 12, to Tuesday, November 24, and would resume duty on Wednesday, November 25 .

"In my absence, His Lordship Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, will act," the circular stated .

Copies of the notice were also sent to members of the Judicial Council, the General Legal Council and the Judicial Secretary .

A Familiar Constitutional Arrangement

The nomination follows established judicial practice under which the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court acts as Chief Justice when the substantive officeholder is unavailable. Under Article 144(6) of the 1992 Constitution, the most senior Supreme Court Justice assumes the position of Acting Chief Justice when the office becomes vacant, pending the appointment of a substantive successor .

During the period, Justice Pwamang is expected to oversee the administration of the Judiciary and perform the administrative responsibilities of the Office of the Chief Justice, a role that encompasses responsibility for the administration and supervision of the country's courts under Article 125 of the Constitution .

A Justice Steeped in the Judiciary's Recent History

Justice Pwamang was sworn in as a Supreme Court judge in June 2015 by then-President John Dramani Mahama, alongside Justice Yaw Appau, following parliamentary approval by consensus . Before his elevation to the bench, he was a private legal practitioner noted for handling electoral reform cases with distinction, and a former General Secretary of the People's National Convention .

His tenure on the Supreme Court has placed him at the centre of some of the Judiciary's most consequential moments. He chaired the committee whose recommendations led to the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo . More recently, on November 10, 2026, a petition seeking his own removal from office was dismissed after Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie determined that no prima facie case had been established to warrant further investigation under Article 146(3) of the Constitution . The petition, filed by one Edward Adeti, had alleged misconduct in connection with a Judicial Council delegation's visit to the palace of the Paramount Chief of Talensi and a subsequent Supreme Court decision involving traditional leaders from the area .

Timing and Succession Questions

The acting appointment comes at a significant moment for the Judiciary. Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who was sworn in as Ghana's 16th Chief Justice on November 17, 2025, is expected to retire on December 26, 2026, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 . Justice Pwamang, having served on the Supreme Court since June 2015, is the longest-serving among the leading contenders mentioned in discussions about the next head of the Judiciary, and is widely expected to assume the position of Acting Chief Justice following Justice Baffoe-Bonnie's retirement, pending the appointment of a substantive successor .

The Chief Justice heads Ghana's Judiciary and is responsible for the administration and supervision of the country's courts. Justice Pwamang will hold the reins of the third arm of government until Justice Baffoe-Bonnie's return on November 25.