Accra, June 19, GNA – The Judicial Service has clarified that Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s visit to the Black Stars camp in Canada was undertaken in his private capacity and financed entirely from his personal resources.
The clarification follows public commentary and speculation on social media after photographs emerged showing the Chief Justice at the camp of Ghana’s national football team.
A statement issued by the Communications Department of the Judicial Service said the Chief Justice was on official vacation at the time of the visit.
“His trip to Canada was undertaken in his private capacity and entirely at his own expense,” the statement said.
It explained that, during his stay in Canada, the Chief Justice took the opportunity, as a patriotic Ghanaian and sports enthusiast, to visit the Black Stars camp and offer encouragement to the team participating in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
“The visit was motivated solely by a desire to support the national team and should not be viewed in a negative light,” the statement said.
It noted that photographs from the visit had generated commentary and speculation that did not accurately reflect the circumstances under which they were taken.
The Judicial Service emphasised that judicial independence did not require judges to isolate themselves from society or refrain from participating in ordinary aspects of national life.
“Judges remain citizens of the Republic and members of the communities they serve,” it said.
The statement explained that what the Constitution required of judges was independence of mind, fidelity to the law and impartiality in the discharge of their judicial functions.
“These are the principles that guide the conduct of the Chief Justice and all judicial officers,” it said.
The Judicial Service further noted that in every democratic society, holders of different constitutional offices would inevitably encounter one another in both official and unofficial settings.
“The mere facts of such encounters cannot, without more, reasonably be construed as evidence of partisanship, bias, or political affiliation,” the statement said.
It reaffirmed the Chief Justice’s commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the Judiciary and the fair and impartial administration of justice to all persons, irrespective of political persuasion, social status or personal background.
The statement also underscored the unifying role of national institutions and symbols.
“The Black Stars continue to represent the hopes and aspirations of all Ghanaians. Supporting the national team should not be misconstrued as compromising the impartiality or independence of any constitutional office holder,” it said.
The Judicial Service urged the public to view the matter in its proper context and disregard what it described as unfounded suggestions seeking to attribute ulterior motives to what was essentially a patriotic gesture of support for the national team.
It reiterated its commitment to preserving public confidence in the Judiciary through the continued discharge of its constitutional mandate with independence, integrity, impartiality and fidelity to the rule of law.
GNA
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage
Reporter: Joyce Danso