EC Chairperson: Rally behind the nominees - Group to NDC, others

A group calling itself, Patriots Committed to Retaining Power (PaCorP) has urged the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), civil societies and other political parties in the country to rally behind the nomination of Jean Mensa as a newly nominated EC boss and other three as the Council of State is yet to consider them.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, on Monday 23 July 2018, named Mrs Jean Mensa, Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), as the new Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.

The newly-appointed deputies are a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Eric Asare Bossman; and Samuel Tettey, Director of Electoral services in charge of elections at the Electoral Commission. Also, Ms Adjoa Esuama Abrefa, a corporate legal practitioner with specialisation in land property acquisition, was named as a member of the commissioner.

The main opposition party, NDC has criticised the decision of the President, accusing him of stuffing the Commission with pro-NPP sympathisers.

They also questioned the timing of the appointment as this has come in the wake of several petitions filed in Court over the removal of former EC Chair Charlotte Osei and her deputies.

But in the group's congratulatory statement and signed by its Founder and Convener, Madam Sheila Atiemo, congratulated Jean Mensa and the three others for their nominations as EC bosses.

"The leadership of Patriots Committed to Retaining Power (PaCorP) would like to officially congratulate Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa, the nominated Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and the other nominated members for the Commission; Mr. Samuel Tettey, Dr. Eric Asare Bossman and Ms. Adwoa Asuma Abrefa", the statement said.

The group was on the view that the Council of State will discharge their constitutional mandate expeditiously so as to allow President Akufo-Addo to confirm them as such.

The statement also urged the NDC Democratic Congress, Civil Society Organizations and other political parties to rally behind and give their full support and cooperation to the nominees if finally confirmed to occupy the EC positions.

The statement described the nomination as very laudable hence would be strengthened Ghana's multi-party democracy.

Below is the full statement

The leadership of Patriots Committed to Retaining Power (PaCorP) would like to officially congratulate Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensah, the nominated Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and the other nominated members for the Commission; Mr. Samuel Tettey, Dr. Eric Asare Bossman and Ms. Adwoa Asuma Abrefa.

We are hoping that the Council of State will discharge its constitutional duty expeditiously so that President Akufo-Addo can confirm them as such.

We are urging Ghanaians, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Civil Society Organizations and all Political Parties to rally behind and give their full support and cooperation to Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensah if finally confirmed as the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.

We thank President Akufo-Addo for this timely nominations, this is laudable and will help to strengthen our multi-party democracy.

Signed!

Sheila Atiemo, Founder & Convener