Accra: The Judicial Service has defended Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's visit to the Black Stars camp in Canada, arguing that supporting Ghana's national team does not undermine judicial independence or compromise the neutrality expected of the country's top judge.

According to Ghana Web, the clarification follows public discussion sparked by photographs of the Chief Justice interacting with members of the Black Stars during the ongoing FIFA World Cup. In a statement issued on June 19, 2026, the Judicial Service explained that the visit was a private undertaking and not an official assignment. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is currently on official vacation and personally funded his trip to Canada. While there, he paid a visit to the Black Stars camp as a Ghanaian football enthusiast and supporter of the national team.

The Judicial Service said the visit was intended solely to encourage the players as they represent Ghana on the world stage and should not be interpreted beyond that purpose. The statement noted that reactions generated by photographs from the visit had created misconceptions about the circumstances surrounding the Chief Justice's presence at the team's camp.

Addressing concerns raised about the image of the Judiciary, the Service stressed that judicial officers are not expected to isolate themselves from society or refrain from participating in ordinary national activities. "What the Constitution requires of judges is independence of mind, fidelity to the law, and impartiality in the discharge of their judicial functions," the statement read. "These are the principles that guide the conduct of the Chief Justice and all judicial officers."

The Service further argued that interactions between holders of various constitutional offices are a normal feature of democratic governance and should not automatically be viewed through a political lens. "The mere fact of such encounters cannot, without more, reasonably be construed as evidence of partisanship, bias, or political affiliation," the release added.

According to the Judicial Service, national institutions and symbols such as the Black Stars have historically served as rallying points for citizens regardless of their political, professional or social backgrounds. It therefore maintained that showing support for the national team should not be mistaken for political alignment or conduct inconsistent with judicial impartiality.

The statement concluded by urging the public to view the visit in its proper context and reject attempts to attach ulterior motives to what it described as a patriotic gesture. The Judicial Service also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding public confidence in the Judiciary through the continued observance of independence, integrity, impartiality and adherence to the rule of law.