Former President John Dramani Mahama has described the nomination of four new officials to the Electoral Commission as a “regrettable” decision by President Nana Akufo-Addo.
According to Mr. Mahama, the controversy surrounding the removal of Mrs. Charlotte Osei and her her deputies and the subsequent appointment of Mrs. Jean Mensa and three other deputy commissioners is a potential threat to Ghana’s democratic credentials.
In a tweet, the former President said the turn of events is regrettable.
“Current controversy surrounding removal of EC Chair and deputies and subsequent appointment of new commissioners is regrettable and carries a potential to erode Ghana’s democratic credentials,” the former President said in a tweet.
Mahama boycotted debate by Jean Mensa’s IEA in 2016
It must, however, be stated that Madam Jean Mensa has not been in the good books of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Prior to election 2016, the NDC, which was then the ruling government, boycotted the IEA’s presidential debate, which meant that President John Dramani Mahama, who was the NDC’s candidate, did not participate in the national debate.
Some NDC members who were officials of the government, including a deputy minister of communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, had described her as arrogant following her response to the concerns the NDC raised at the time over the debate.
Jean Mensa is anti-NDC
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has already expressed its dissatisfaction with the nomination of Jean Adukwei Mensa saying she’s anti-NDC.
The party in statement said it will 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.”
President Akufo-Addo removes Charlotte Osei, deputies
Last month, President Akufo-Addo removed the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei and her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwaa from office.
This was after a committee set up by the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo, pursuant to Article 146(4) of the Constitution, investigated separate complaints of procurement breaches and financial malfeasance brought against the three persons by some Ghanaian citizens including staff of the Electoral Commission.
The Committee recommended their removal on the basis of stated misbehavior and incompetence, pursuant to Article 146 (1) of the Constitution.
Replacements named
On Monday, July 23, 2018, the Presidency announced the nomination of the Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs, (IEA) Jean Adukwei Mensa as the new Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
Other persons nominated for appointment by President Akufo-Addo to the Commission included Samuel Tettey for the Deputy Chairperson, Dr. Eric Asare Bossman also as a Deputy Chairperson and Adwoa Asuama Abrefa as a Member of Commission.
Meanwhile, the Progressive People Party (PPP), have also accused President Nana Akufo-Addo of failing to consult political party representatives prior to the appointment of the EC officials.
In a statement signed by the National Secretary, Murtala Mohammed, it said the appointment of the new EC officials would have “passed the litmus test of transparency, good governance and best practices” if they were consulted.
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JM ma yen aso nkp adidi, gyae dedey hunu no na yen aso mu ndwo yen wai. wo be ba 2020 ana? Jean ase3 wo plans wo hu. kafra wai. JEAN FOR LIFE!!!! ma sre saaaaaaaaaa
Ex Pres Mahama,what's ur problem;beautiful woman go beautiful woman come.
Oh Mr infrastructure this one too you are against. When it is from you its ok. By the way we cant see all your infrastructure nowooo. Even the eastern corridor roads is in deplorable shape. Everybody is complaining so kindly revise your green book and tell Ghanaians or better still since your party is good at press conferences to tell Ghanaians where those infrastructures are.
I HOPE THE NPP WOULD ACCEPT THE REMOVAL OF JEAN MENSAH IN 2021 IN GOOD FAITH.JEAN MUST KNOW THAT SHE HAS ONLY 4 FOURS OOOO
Well, Mahama, you are true to type. This is exactly what we were expecting from you. But remember that, you have become like a dinosaur in the NDC. Just like a timber truck loaded with huge logs. If you drive in front of it, you are in danger. If you drive just behind it, you are still in danger. Atta-Mills was in front, YAMUTU. Amissah-Arthur decided to drive behind , YAMUTU. Who will benext in line in the NDC?
John Dramani Mahama has been a regrettable curse to our Ghana Nation. He is a curse hazard.
Was it regrettable when you removed Loretta Lamtey as CHRAJ boss and replaced her with Joe Whithal? If it is you, then all is fine, it is someone else, it is regrettable. I have run out of words to describe you
What is regrettable more than your greediness to stand again as a flag bearer of our great party? Your attitude and that of Kwesi Nyantakyi are the same and nothing good will come out it. Even the ndc members may not vote for you and that would send our party more down. Please think again
...If it wasnt for you Nana Addo and Ghana will not be going through this in the first place.
Ghanaians weren’t expecting anything different from what you have just said, because Charlotte Osei was as corrupttt and incompetenttt as you John Ford Mahama