Lawyer and Vice-President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has cautioned that appointing Chief Justices who are close to retirement could give President John Dramani Mahama significant influence over the succession of leadership in the judiciary.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Mr Bentil said the remaining years of a potential appointee’s tenure could become a factor in the selection process.
“If the president wants to wrestle power, he will go the route of picking people with short times to go,” he said.
Mr Bentil clarified that his comments were hypothetical and did not constitute an allegation that President Mahama intended to use the appointment process to consolidate power.
“I said, if he wants, okay. The reason is simple. It will give him immense power,” he added.
He explained that appointing a Chief Justice with only a few years left before retirement could create an opportunity for the President to appoint successive heads of the judiciary within his tenure.
The discussion comes as Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie approaches retirement later this year, setting the stage for another appointment to lead the judiciary.
Mr Bentil acknowledged that competence was an important consideration in selecting a Chief Justice but argued that personal confidence and loyalty could also influence appointments to senior positions.
“Competence is always important, but even in corporate life, above a certain level, the boss will pick somebody with sufficient competence and great loyalty,” he said.
He maintained that the judges being considered for the position were qualified, regardless of who was eventually selected.
“There can be no mistake, regardless of who is picked. They are all really fit,” he said.
According to him, the President’s confidence in a prospective appointee could be a determining factor in the selection process.
“I think that to the extent that it is the president who picks, he will pick a choice that is comfortable for him,” Mr Bentil said.
He also stressed the need for the next Chief Justice to help restore public confidence in the judiciary following recent controversy surrounding the institution.
“I think the best thing would be someone who projects confidence in the judiciary,” he said.
Although he acknowledged that no candidate would command universal support, Mr Bentil said the appointment should be one that attracts broad acceptance among judges, lawyers and the public.
He nevertheless expressed confidence in the pool of potential candidates and said he expected President Mahama to make a good choice.
“I think ultimately the president will make a good choice because fortunately we have very good people over there, but he will make the choice,” he said.
