Tensions surrounding Ghana’s Electoral Commission have deepened as the Centre for Democracy and Socio-Economic Development (CDS), a civil society organization, has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to resist growing calls for the removal of the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, and her deputies.
This move comes in direct response to two petitions earlier submitted by the Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement Ghana and a private citizen, Daniel Ofosu-Appiah.
These petitions are requesting the removal of not only the EC Chair, but also her deputies—Dr. Bossman Asare and Samuel Tettey—as well as another Commission member, Dr. Peter Atuahene.
In what is seen as a counteraction, CDS warns the President against initiating any processes to dismiss the electoral commissioners.
The organization emphasizes the dangers of setting a politically charged precedent, one that could undermine the independence of the Electoral Commission and damage Ghana’s democratic institutions irreparably.
CDS draws a historical comparison, referencing the controversial removal of former EC Chairperson, Charlotte Osei and her deputies in 2018.
“The civil society organization urges the President not to repeat the happenings in 2018, where the EC Chairperson and her deputies were removed from office,” the petition stated, noting that the move was “deemed to be politically motivated.”
The organization elaborates further in its plea: “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.”
CDS argues that preserving the sanctity of the Commission is crucial to maintaining public confidence in Ghana’s electoral processes.
They caution that yielding to political pressure could open the door to continuous partisan manipulation of a body meant to remain neutral.
The petition underscores the importance of constitutional principles:
“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 organization warns that any attempt to dissolve the Commission would risk transforming the EC into an appendage of ruling governments, rather than an autonomous constitutional body.
“Any plans to dissolve the Commission will create a precedent that makes the Commission a mere extension of ruling governments, subject to change with every new administration,” the petition adds.
While some groups are calling for accountability and reform within the EC, the CDS maintains that such efforts should not compromise the Commission’s constitutional autonomy.
President Mahama, who has already received various petitions—including one regarding the Chief Justice—is now faced with the difficult task of balancing political accountability with democratic preservation.
