The recent appointment of Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie as the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service has sparked a wave of discussion on social media. A tweet by @CitizenTechiman, a pro-NDC page, highlighted what they described as the “sad story” of Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie, alleging that she was unfairly targeted and punished by the Akufo-Addo government for eight years.
According to the tweet, Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie, a distinguished Prisons Officer, became a victim of political victimization because of her husband, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, a Supreme Court Judge. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was part of the majority panel of judges who dismissed the 2012 presidential election petition filed by Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. The tweet claimed that Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie was deliberately targeted by the Akufo-Addo administration as a result of her husband’s role in the case.
The post praised President Mahama for recognizing Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie’s distinguished service and appointing her to the high-ranking position. It also highlighted her patience and resilience, noting that she waited patiently for this moment.
However, the tweet did not provide specific details on how Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie was allegedly punished during the Akufo-Addo administration. This omission led to many reactions from Ghanaians, with several users questioning the basis of the claims.
One user, @Okatakyie86, refuted the allegations, stating that Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie had actually been promoted multiple times during Akufo-Addo’s tenure. The user pointed out that she rose from Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) to Deputy Director-General of Prisons (DDGP) during those eight years, suggesting that the claims of victimization were unfounded.
“You know nothing about her. In Akuffo Addo’s 8yrs, she moved from ADP to DDP to DOP to DDGP. Don’t say what you don’t know” – @Okatakyie86 replied.
The debate surrounding Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie’s story highlights the often-polarized nature of Ghanaian politics. While some see her appointment as a correction of past injustices, others argue that the narrative of victimization is exaggerated or inaccurate. Regardless of the differing opinions, her appointment marks a significant milestone in her career and serves as a reminder of the importance of fairness and meritocracy in public service.
As Ghanaians continue to discuss this issue, one thing is clear: Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie’s story has reignited conversations about political interference, justice, and the need for transparency in the treatment of public servants.