Divine Nkrumah, the National Youth Organiser of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), is calling for a review of the constitutional provision which gives the President the mandate to appoint the Electoral Commission (EC) boss.
According to him, there must be an amendment to the specific portions of the 1992 Constitution which give the President the exclusive right to appoint the EC chair.
President Mahama, on Thursday, appointed Mrs Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei as Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, making her the first woman to hold the position since independence.
The President’s appointment was in accordance with Article 70(2) of the 1992 Constitution.
A statement signed by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah said Mrs Osei, who until her appointment was Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), replaces Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.
Her appointment ends weeks of speculation about who will replace Dr Afari-Gyan, who is retiring after almost 20 years at the helm.
But sharing his views on the appointment of Mrs Osei as the new EC boss, Divine Nkrumah stated that the procedure used for the appointment of officers to that position is not transparent.
He said although the party wishes Mrs Osei well, it is not happy because the position is not open to all who qualify so they can vie for it.
The PPP youth leader advised Mrs Osei to run the Commission by the rules and regulations that govern it.
On his part, Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has said the new EC boss is a woman of competence who can live up to expectations.
He advised Mrs Osei to ensure that elections are peaceful in the country.
Dr Henry Herbert Lartey, Leader and National Chairman of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), also described the new EC boss as a fantastic woman of substance.
Bernard Mornah, General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), stated that the appointment of a female as EC boss was a positive sign of Ghana’s democratic growth.
He said in view of the fact that the President had appointed her in line with the provisions of the Constitution, Mrs Osei must be impartial.
Mr Mornah noted that although Mrs Osei was not “spectacular” at the NCCE, the party would wish to see more from her in her new position.
Dr Nana Agyenim Boateng, Founder and National Chairman of the United Front Party (UFP), whilst congratulating the new EC boss, also advised her to brace up for the challenges associated with her job.
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