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The nomination of Mrs. Jean Mensa for consideration as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) has sparked controversy with many opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) members describing her as someone in bed with the ruling NPP government.

But the General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed has described the behaviour of the main opposition NDC as 'unproductive and baseless' partisan politics preventing the right people from stepping up for responsible positions in the country.

“She is a neutral civil society person doing her work very well. I think that this useless politics is preventing the right and good people from stepping up for responsible positions in the country. We should stop this and move forward as a country, and I believe she is a consensus candidate that we all will be comfortable to work with.

“Let’s stop that baseless political thing we do because it won’t help all of us. These are unproductive partisan politics we do,” he added.

Atik Mohammed wondered why the opposition NDC is tagging Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa as an NPP member when at a point the party [NPP] also boycotted the activities of the IEA; quizzing whether at that time the same Jean Mensa was anti-NPP.

“NPP at a point boycotted the activities of IEA . . . At the time NPP boycotted IEA activities, does it mean that time Jean Mensa was anti-NPP?” he quizzed.

Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa's appointment follows the removal from office last month of the former Chairperson of the EC, Mrs Charlotte Osei, and 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.

A statement signed by the Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Opare, also named Mr. Samuel Tettey together with Dr. Eric Asare Bossman, as Deputy Chairpersons and Ms. Adwoa Asuama Abrefa, as a Member of the Commission.

"President Akufo-Addo is hopeful that the Council of State will discharge its constitutional duty expeditiously, to enable him make these critical appointments to this very important institution of State," the statement added.