Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, and her two deputies, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare and Samuel Tettey, could soon be the next targets for removal from office.
This is according to former United Nations Senior Governance Adviser, Prof Baffour Agyeman-Duah, who disclosed that the process for their removal is already underway.
He made the revelation in an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show on Wednesday, September 3.
“In fact, yesterday [Tuesday], we were told that the NDC has not finished yet in terms of the people they intend to remove, and I guess it will be the Electoral Commissioners. I think a petition has already been sent to the President,” he revealed.
His remarks come in the wake of President John Mahama’s decision to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office with immediate effect on grounds of stated misconduct.
The action follows recommendations by a constitutional committee established under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
Also citing the removal of former EC Chairperson Charlotte Osei, Prof. Agyeman-Duah further argued that her removal by the previous administration set a precedent that opened the door for subsequent political actors to target heads of independent bodies.
The governance expert warned that such political actions risk eroding public trust in institutions that are meant to remain independent and impartial.
Prof. Agyeman-Duah noted that the development fits into a worrying trend of political interference in independent state institutions.
“You don’t have to politicise certain key institutions of governance so the people can continuously have trust and believe in the role that they play in a democracy,” he cautioned.
Source: Emma Ankrah
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