In a decisive move reflecting growing concerns about the credibility of Ghana’s electoral processes, the Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement-Africa (PTAAM-Africa) has petitioned the President to remove the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Jean Mensa, along with her deputies.
PTAAM-Africa claimed that the procurement of a new biometric voter device and the compilation of a fresh voter register ahead of the 2020 general elections caused significant financial losses to the state.
The organization argued that the existing voter register and biometric devices used in the 2016 elections were functional and reliable, asserting that the decision to replace these systems, without compelling justification, demonstrated poor fiscal judgment, with costs running into millions of taxpayer dollars.
“Pursuant to Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement-Africa (PTAAM-Africa), a civil society organisation, respectfully petitions your high office to seek the removal of the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Mensa, and her Deputies from office.”
Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement-Africa (PTAAM-Africa)
The petition further accused the EC leadership of knowingly creating a constitutional crisis by proceeding with a new voter registration exercise during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This move, PTAAM-Africa contended, ignored advice from key stakeholders, including civil society organisations, traditional authorities, and political parties, adding that the decision endangered public health and violated principles of sound governance.
Misconduct and Abuse of Public Office
The petition also highlighted allegations of gross incompetence, political bias, procurement irregularities, and poor corporate governance under the leadership of Mrs. Mensa and her deputies, particularly Dr Eric Bossman Asare.
These issues, according to PTAAM-Africa, have undermined public trust in the EC’s ability to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections.
“Specifically, the decision to mandate a new voter registration exercise during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic endangered public health and exposed millions of Ghanaians to life-threatening risks”.
Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement-Africa (PTAAM-Africa)
Disputed 2020 Presidential Election Results
The 2020 presidential election results, which were revised five times after the initial declaration, were also cited as evidence of managerial incompetence and deliberate manipulation.
PTAAM-Africa noted that the confusion surrounding the results eroded public confidence in the EC, adding that the tragic deaths of eight individuals during clashes in the parliamentary elections further highlighted the commission’s alleged failure to ensure electoral security.
“Observers’ Reports International observers, including ECOWAS, the European Union (EU), and the African Union (AU), issued damning reports on the 2020 elections. They highlighted a lack of transparency in the collation of presidential results, with processes described as opaque and untrustworthy”.
Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement-Africa (PTAAM-Africa)
Political Bias
The petition accused the EC of harbouring political bias, citing the alleged appointment of individuals affiliated with the NPP to strategic positions within the commission. This perceived partiality, PTAAM-Africa argued, has further undermined the EC’s neutrality and credibility.
The group also condemned the EC’s ongoing re-collation exercises at select centres, alleging that these actions are conducted without the involvement of key political parties. Such activities, they asserted, violate CI 127 of 2020 and disregard electoral laws.
PTAAM-Africa, in an impassioned call, urged President John Dramani Mahama to act swiftly on the petition, emphasising the need to restore public trust in the Electoral Commission. “Ghana’s status as a beacon of democracy in Africa depends on a credible and impartial electoral body,” the petition stated.
The petition had the signatures of several PTAAM-Africa leaders, including Mr. Ebenezer K. Havor, President, Mr. Rashid Isah, Vice President, Mr. Raphdel Delanyo Apatu, Director of Operations and Mr. Alfred Kojo Triddle, Executive Member.
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