<<Print>>

Leader of the political pressure group, Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF), Richard Nyamah has described Ghana’s Electoral Commissioner, Madam Charlotte Osei as morally corrupt for holding two different public office positions contrary to the constitution of the country.

According to the group, the Chairperson of the EC is in breach of Article 44 clause 4 of the 1992 constitution which states "the chairman and the two deputy chairmen of the commission shall not, while they hold office on the commission, hold any other public office’’

“Mrs Charlotte Osei as the chairman of the electoral commission is also a board member of the Ghana Reinsurance Company Limited.

Evidence we possess shows that Mrs, Osei before her appointment as EC chair and since her appointment has remained a member of the board of the company. We demand that Madam Commissioner resigns her post as member of the board of directors of Ghana Reinsurance Company or as the Chairman of the electoral commission with immediate effect,” a statement issued on Thursday by the group indicated.

Speaking to the issue raised, Richard Nyamah on Okay Fm’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show said the EC Chairperson was appointed as a board member of the Ghana Reinsurance Company Limited in 2009 by the late President Mills and she has for the past six months been receiving allowances and salaries as a board member.

“She is also the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and this means that she takes double salaries; that is breaking the law and it means she is morally corrupt…she swore an oath to defend and protect the constitution of Ghana as EC chair and if she has broken that law, she is not fit to hold that office. She will have to resign or else, we will take the constitutional course to ensure that she is removed from the office”, he challenged.

He argued that the position of Madam Charlotte Osei as the EC Chairperson is similar to that of an Appeals Court Judge who is required to be of high moral standing and uphold the constitution; which she has failed to do.