Jean Mensah Must Go: She Lacks Credibility, Integrity, Neutrality and Fairness

Jean Mensah Must Go: She Lacks Credibility, Integrity,
Neutrality and Fairness

The Caucus for Democratic Governance (CDG-Gh), through its research and observations, has concluded that the Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson-Mrs. Jean Mensa- lacks credibility, integrity and neutrality. She is not up to task.

NORMS
Generally, Institutions such as the EC have norms and rules that insulate them from political interference and from actions with biased political undertone. Indeed any action that has the propensity of undermining fairness, transparency, credibility and neutrality of the Commission, seeks to sink the Nation in flames during national elections.

EC CHAIRPERSON
Mrs. Jean Mensa, the EC chairperson however is openly seen to be attending NPP organized parties and functions. This is sad because it induces mistrust in her person and in the Electoral Commission.  Mrs. Jean Mensa`s background as a strong NPP activist during her student days in University of Ghana, is worrying and calls for caution.  Besides her husband is a relative of Mrs. Rebecca Akufo Addo. Despite her controversial background, President Akufo Addo, author of friends and family government, acting on an unsigned petition, removed Mrs. Charlotte Osei and replaced her with Mrs. Jean Mensa.

REFERENDUM
Those campaigning in Oti Region against the division from Volta Region are being intimidated and brutalized. Is that what the President seeks to do in 2020?  It is important to note the following facts:

Video footages during the referendum in VR (Oti Region) from TV3 report, show EC officials rigging the referendum process.
Observers including Journalists were consistently intimidated.
There was visible multiple voting
Groups carrying election materials on motorbikes fled without escort
Rules and procedures to voting were  disrespected and trampled upon by EC officials
The dollar question is  : were the accreditations of the polling agents signed? Who signed them?

NOT UP TO TASK
With these infractions, Mrs. Jean Mensa has proved she is not up to task. If a referendum cannot be conducted free from rigging, how can we entrust her with a National Election? If her conduct is contrary to the norms of the EC, then she must go. With his  carefully selected relatives in key positions : the EC chairperson, the Chief Justice, Director of CID and the IGP, President Akufo Addo seeks to surround himself with organs  and people that can secure him victory in 2020.

CONCLUSION
It is the hope and expectations of the CDG-Gh that the EC chairperson, would resign. It is the only way to avoid dragging the EC into needless controversies that would ultimately affect the efficiency of the Commission.

Dr. E.K.Hayfod

 Chief Convener CDG-Gh
 0277606338 / 0542490709