The National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice.

He described it as a dark chapter in the country’s democratic journey.

Speaking after the Presidency announced that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie had been put forward to the Council of State for consideration, Mr Mustapha contended that even under the military regime of former President Jerry John Rawlings, the judiciary was left intact.

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"Even Rawlings' military coup d'états, the kangaroo courts and so on, they never touched the judiciary," he claimed on The Pulse on JoyNews on Tuesday, September 23.

"This is the first time we are seeing this. I tell you it is a dark day for the Judiciary in Ghana," he added.

The Presidency, however, maintains that the nomination is in line with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution, stressing Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s long and distinguished service at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

The development follows the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office for stated misbehaviour.

Her dismissal was based on the findings of a constitutional committee established under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been Acting Chief Justice since April 2025.