Accra, Ghana, July 25, 2018//- Dynamic Youth Movement of Ghana (DYMOG), a leading youth-oriented pressure group, has advised the Council of State to impress on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to reverse the nomination of Jean Mensa as the new Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Though the nomination by the President was done within the confines of the country’s constitution, it threatens the country’s democracy, peace and stability considering the issues surrounding the removal of Mrs Charlotte Osei, members of the DYMOG cautioned in a press statement.
According to the group, the action by Mr Akufo-Addo is too risky especially so as there are cases challenging the processes and eventual removal of Mrs. Osei and her two deputies as commissioners of the EC.
Earlier, Ghana’s largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has vehemently opposed the nomination of the Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Jean Mensa as the new EC Chairperson .
This follows the nomination of Jean Mensa and Samuel Tettey and Dr Eric Asare Bossman as Deputy Chairpersons by the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Reacting to the nomination in a statement, the NDC said it is shocked by the nomination, given that President Nana Akufo-Addo until his nomination, had assured that persons to be nominated as EC officials will be persons “whose integrity and political neutrality would be above board.”
The statement signed by the General Secretary of the NDC, John Asiedu Nketia added: “For President Akufo –Addo to proceed contrary to his earlier assurance to appoint a known pro-NPP and on-avowed anti NDC person like Mrs. Jean Mensa to chair a commission which would organize elections invoking the NPP and NDC as the main contenders defies all series of decency, fairness and justice, and amounts to a gross abuse of the discretionary powers of appointment vested in him by the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana”.
The party in the statement assured the public that it would in due course provide details of what it calls “open and covert activities of Jean Mensa which makes her unfit to occupy the high position of Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of the Republic of Ghana.”
The EC Chairperson post became vacant following the sacking of the former EC Chairperson Charlotte Osei by the President on the recommendation of the Chief Justice for misbehavour, among others.
Read the full statement by Dynamic Youth Movement of Ghana below
President’s Move ‘Highly Risky’ for our Democracy
On 23rd July 2018, the President exercised his powers under Article 70(2) of the 1992 Constitution by nominating Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa for the position of EC Chair, Mr. Samuel Tettey and Dr. Eric Asare Bossman for deputy chairpersons and Ms. Adwoa Asuama Abrefa as an EC member.
Taking a snapshot at the issues surrounding the removal of the former EC Chairperson, considering the legal issues raised by private citizens challenging the legality of her removal, the application for an injunction to prevent the President from appointing new EC officials and now the swift move by the President to nominate new officials , DYMOG is of the firm believe Ghana’s democracy, Peace and Stability are ‘highly at risk’ if issues surrounding the electoral commission, appointment of its members and activities are not managed properly going forward.
The President swiftly putting out names for consideration raises some concerns which DYMOG is sharing with the general public.
- Prejudice -The removal of Madam Charlotte Osei and the legal actions triggered to challenge her removal are both unprecedented under the 4th Republic. On this premise, the judgement of the Supreme Court will give clear guidance going forward on this matter. Although the nominations don’t prevent same, it makes the citizenry expect an outcome and may amount to pressure on the judges in giving their verdict. It would therefore have been expedient if the President had waited for the conclusive determination of the suits before putting out names for consideration.
- II. Election stakeholder management crises – the EC itself, Government and opposition political parties are key players in organizing peaceful and successful elections. TheNDC being the largest opposition party and a key stakeholder has registered displeasure at the removal of the former EC chairperson and has also fingered some names put out for consideration by the President as being NPP inclined. DYMOG believes, the verdict of the Supreme Court would have addressed sentiments about the removal of the former EC Boss and consequentially enabled a healthy focus on the appointment of the new EC officials. It’s therefore our judgement that, the hurried move by the President heightens suspicions that government and the NPP premeditatedly orchestrated the removal of the former EC Boss and her deputies to replace them with pro NPP officials. This is really avoidable!
III.The danger of the EC becoming an extension of political parties in power. Suspicions whether real or perceived about the President appointing people who are NPP inclined have the potency to develop a culture where political parties will sack EC officials through fair or foul means when they win power. If this becomes the norm, our democracy will be under threat!
Elections are a crucial part of our democratic process and so, should be handled legally and commonsensically. Strategic stakeholder management is essential in any electoral process and the effectiveness of same, influences the success of any elections.
To better manage the sentiment of stakeholders and for the better consolidation of our peace and democracy, DYMOG recommends the following:
The Council of State should intervene by calling on the President to recall his nominations for the EC till the legal actions at the Supreme Court are determined.
The Chief Justice should expedite action on the legal suits so they can be concluded expeditiously. These cases are of huge public interest so their timely conclusion is vital.
All political parties and other stakeholders should exercise restraint and exploit legal means to address their concerns.
Thank You.
Signed:
Edward Tuttor,
Executive Convener
African Eye Report
