The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticized the nomination of the Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Jean Adukwei Mensah, as the new chairperson of the Electoral Commission, describing her as a "known pro-NPP and an avowed anti-NDC person".
General Secretary of the opposition party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, affectionately called "General Mosquito", claims the Nana Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, has appointed its own referee to conduct and rig the 2020 presidential and parliamentary polls in their favour.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Monday, announced Ms Jean Mensah's nomination in a press statement signed by the Chief of Staff, Hon Akosua Frema Osei-Opare.
"President Akufo-Addo is hopeful that the Council of State will discharge its constitutional duty expeditiously, to enable hint make these critical appointments to this very important institution of State," the statement added.
The coming on board of Mrs. Mensah comes in the wake of the controversial removal from office last month of the former EC boss, Charlotte Osei under the grounds of 'stated misbehavior and incompetence'.
Madam Charlotte Osei, was sacked together with her two deputies, Mr. Amadu Sulley and Mrs. Georgina Opoku Amankwah, by President Akufo-Addo, after the Committee established by the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo, to investigate petitions brought against them, recommended their removal.
Commenting on the news of the nominations in an interview with Peacefmonline.com, the NDC Chief Scribe believed government is attempting to influence the 2020 General Elections in their favour by appointing individuals with links to the NPP to manage the EC.
"How can you appoint your own coach as referee to officiate a match against your opponent," Gen. Mosquito quizzed.
A clearly shocked Asiedu Nketiah stated that until the nomination of Ms Jean Mensah, President Akufo-Addo had given the assurance to the nation that the persons to be named would be people of high integrity and political neutrality.
"For him to proceed contrary to his earlier assurances to appoint a known pro-NPP and an avowed anti-NDC person, defies all senses of decency, fairness and justice and amounts to a gross abuse of the discretionary powers appointment vested in him by the constitution," he added.
Scary & Lawless– NDC MPs
Meanwhile, some Minority members in Parliament have described the nominations as "scary" and "an act of lawlessness".
Member of Parliament (MP) for Juaboso Kwabena Minta Akandoh said the actions of the president could jeopardise the peace of the country more so when a citizen is challenging the removal of Mrs Osei in the country’s apex court.
“I am very disappointed and scared for Ghana. I am really scared. The democracy that we have all contributed to, I think the president is sending us back in terms of years, that he could have that courage to go ahead and fire not less than three people from the Electoral Commission and irrespective of whatever everybody is saying in the country, go ahead and appoint new members to the Commission. I understand that the issue is in court at the moment."
On his part, the MP for Sagnarigu A.B.A Fuseini added: “… When you say on behalf of the minority, we’re very appalled about this announcement that the president is making left, right and Centre. If it is not for an ulterior and also of the motive of wanting to pack the electoral commission with sympathizers of the NPP in order for them to rig the 2020 elections for the NPP government, It is also an act of…. lawlessness.”
Source: Isaac kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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WHEN WILL THESE NDC GUYS MAKE A LITTLE SENSE IN INTELLECTUAL DISCOURSES? YOU APPOINTED THE FORMER EC CHAIR AND VIRTUALLY ALL THE HEAS ECHELEON OF THAT INSTITUTION ALBEIT, ALL THE NOISES OF THE THEN OPPOSITION PARTIES, YET THEY ACCEPTED THEM AND WORKED WITH THE INSTITUTION DESPITE ALL THE ARROGANCE AND SNUBBISHNESS OF CHALLOTE OSEI TO THEM. SO IS THE NDC TELLING THE GOOD PEOPLE OF GHANA AND THE WORLD THAT THEY APPOINTED THEIR OWN, A KNOWN AND HARD CORE NDC MEMBERS TO THE EC TO RIG THE 2016 ELECTION FOR THEM? IT IS EVIDENT CHALLOTE OSEI WANTED TO DO SO BUT WHEN GOD SAYS YES, NO MAN OR SPIRIT CAN SAY NO. I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY MR. MAHAMA HAD TO CRY LIKE A BABY IN HIS ROOM FOR THREE DAYS AFTER THE ELECTIONS. KUDOS MR. PRESIDENT! YOU COULDN'T HAVE NOMINATED ANYONE BETTER THAN AUNTIE JEAN. MADAM CONGRATULATIONS! WE KNOW WITH THE FEAR OF GOD IN YOU, YOU WON'T FAIL AND WILL DELIVER ON THIS JOB TO THE SATISFACTION OF ALL, INCLUDING YOUR DISTRACTORS. MAY GOD BE YOUR HELPER.
These NDC people will never be satisfied with any appointment... Even when an NDC card bearing member Martin Amidu was appointed as Special prosecutor the NDC went to court...... These people appointed to the EC will do their work fairly... NDC can go to international court of Justice if they so wish...... They can even boycott the elections if they so wish. Or go and burn the sea...... Evil people.... The NDC double salary thifs will soon be put before court......
So the NDC appointed Charllote Osei to rig the election
Nothing will will save this clueless old man and family government from defeat. He can even appoint Ochere Gabby the backyard president as EC boss and move Bediatuo to assist Gabby they will still be kicked out. The lies are clear for all to see. Ghana is worse off now than ever in the history of the country.
Who should he have appointed. Former Prez Mahama? Asiedu Nketia you are a broken record. Very scrappy
Aha NDC so you appointed Charlotte Osei as your refree to rig 2016 elections for you right? This is not the same, NPP does not rig elections we win clean even with your refree.
at least ndc are being civil with the criticism. no one says she is traded atopa for post. which npp would have insinuated
If NDC appointed its own referee called Charlotte, NPP will also appoint her referee. Let NDC go burn the sea or even boycott the next elections.... Ghana will move on. If they try any sil*ly disturbances, the police will deal with them very well.
OH WHEN WILL THIS DINNING HALL PREFECT STOP TALKING. HE WANT HIS VOICE TO BE HEARD ON EVERY ISSUE WHY? HAS HE BEEN ABLE TO DEAL WITH HIS COURT CASE? SOME NDC MP'S SHOULD ADVICE DINNING HALL PREFECT TO HOLD HIS FIRE FOR HE IS GOING TO LOSE HIS SEAT COME 2020.IN TWO YEARS TIME HE WILL NOT BE IN PARLIAMENT.
Aaaaaah NDC. This same woman was appointed by the late president Atta Mills as a member of the nine member of the constitutional review. So she was then anti-NPP but pro-NDC right?.Now the tables have changed and it is the other way round.