In a recent interview on Channel One TV, John Darko, Member of Parliament for Suame and Legal Counsel to the Parliamentary Minority, has vehemently criticized the 2018 removal of former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei, describing the decision as fundamentally flawed.
Mr. Darko reiterated his longstanding opposition to the decision taken by President Akufo-Addo’s administration, stating, “My position on Charlotte Osei is that it was wrong. I’ve made that point clear; I’ve never supported the removal. I think that removal was wrong. What happened to Charlotte Osei was wrong.”
He emphasized that the tribunal’s verdict did not align with his understanding of procedural fairness.
The removal of Osei and her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwaa, was based on the recommendations of a committee chaired by then Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, convened under Article 146(4) of the Constitution.
The panel cited alleged procurement infractions as the basis for its report.
While criticizing Osei’s ousting, Mr. Darko was careful to distinguish that matter from the current suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, arguing that the inquiry into Madam Torkornoo should be judged on its own legal merits.
“Let us not mix the two; it’s not really tit for tat. This one is going up and beyond,” he explained, cautioning against portraying the matter as partisan retribution.
