The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has taken notice of the President, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s intended appointment of Mrs. Jean Mensa as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr. Samuel Tettey and Dr. Eric Asare Bossman as Deputy Chairpersons and Ms. Adwoa Asuama Abrefa as a member of the Commission. Mrs. Jean Mensah and Mr. Samuel Tetteh in particular are well known by election stakeholders in Ghana and beyond as capable and experienced individuals.

The Council of State has since been notified to activate its constitutional role in the appointment process in accordance with Article 70(2) of the 1992 Constitution.

While the Center welcomes this development, CDD-Ghana would want to reiterate its call for broader consultation in replacing the removed Chairperson of the Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei and her two deputies, Mr. Amadu Sulley and Mrs. Georgina Opoku Amankwah. We entreat the Council of State to engage all relevant identifiable groups – political parties, House of Chiefs, religious bodies and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the nominations made by the President. This is to ensure broad legitimacy and support for the leadership of the EC and help restore confidence in the institution.

CDD-Ghana would also wish to remind all stakeholders that the petition process which led to the removal of the EC Chair and her deputies, have raised serious concerns about the corporate governance set up and management of the Commission, a situation which has to be seriously addressed. A key starting point to that reform process is for the findings of the Chief Justice Committee to be made public to serve as guide for election stakeholders to pursue the necessary reforms.

God bless our homeland Ghana!

For more information, please contact:
Efua Idan Atadja
CDD-Ghana Communications Officer
+233 242147970
Email: e.osam@cddgh.org