
The Centre for Democracy and Socio-Economic Development (CDS) has petitioned President John Mahama to disregard calls for the removal of Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa and her deputies, warning that such a move could undermine Ghana’s democratic stability.
The appeal comes in response to two separate petitions—one from the Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement Ghana and another from Daniel Ofosu-Appiah—seeking the dismissal of Mensa, Dr. Bossman Asare, Samuel Tettey, and Dr. Peter Atuahene over alleged misconduct.
CDS Warns Against “Dangerous Precedent”
In its counter-petition, the CDS cautioned the President against repeating the 2017 removal of then-EC Chair Charlotte Osei and her deputies, which was widely viewed as politically motivated. The group argued that yielding to fresh demands for dismissal would set a harmful cycle where future governments could arbitrarily dissolve the EC, eroding its independence.
“Today, those calling for the removal of Jean Mensa and her team are drawing inspiration from that unfortunate precedent. If this cycle is allowed to continue, it will erode the foundations of Ghana’s Fourth Republic and threaten the independence of the Electoral Commission beyond repair,” the petition stated.
Upholding Institutional Independence
The CDS emphasized that electoral commissions must remain free from political influence to preserve public trust in Ghana’s democracy.
“Your Excellency, the fundamental principle that Electoral Commissions should be independent of political influence should outweigh all other considerations. If this administration dissolves the current Commission, future governments will feel emboldened to do the same, creating a dangerous cycle of political interference that could ultimately undermine Ghana’s hard-earned democratic stability,” the group argued.
Avoiding a Partisan EC
The civil society organization further warned that removing EC officials based on political pressure would reduce the Commission to a mere extension of the ruling government, subject to change with every new administration.
The CDS urged the President to prioritize institutional integrity over partisan demands, stressing that maintaining the EC’s independence is critical for credible elections and long-term democratic health.
Next Steps
With pressure mounting from opposing sides, the President faces a crucial decision:
- Reject the petitions to safeguard the EC’s autonomy, or
- Entertain the calls for removal, risking accusations of political interference.
The CDS’s intervention highlights growing concerns over the weaponization of EC appointments and the need for constitutional safeguards to protect Ghana’s electoral system from partisan manipulation.
As the debate intensifies, the government’s response will signal whether Ghana’s democracy can withstand the politicization of its key institutions or if the EC’s independence will remain vulnerable to shifting political tides.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com