[dropcap]A [/dropcap]research think tank, Strategic Thinkers Network (STRANEK) is calling for a thorough investigation into the happenings with the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
According STRANEK in a statement, the accusations and counter accusations as being witnessed in the petition filed against the Chairperson, Mrs. Charlotte Osei and her response should be enough [ads1]ground for President Akufo-Addo to institute an investigation into the matter.
The group is however with the view that Mrs. Osie will rather help clean up the institution.
“we are optimistic Mrs. Osei will help in cleaning up corruption in her institution hence we advise that she should not be removed at all. Instead her efforts at cleaning up the commission should be encouraged so more people of courage will be able to stand up against the onslaught of systemic corruption” – the statement said
Read their full statement:
Strategic Thinkers Network (STRANEK) has taken note of the recent happening at Electoral Commission (EC) where there has been 27 allegations against the Chairperson and in return, a 28 point response has also been sighted by her in which Mrs. Osei has denied any acts of fraud and financial malfeasance on her part in her response to the allegations made in the petition to the President Nana Akuffo-Addo to remove her.
We at Strategic Thinkers Network (STRANEK) will like to call on His Excellency the President of Ghana to forward the petition against the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson and her response to the appropriate investigative bodies since they seem to suggest corrupt practices within the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
Having read the 27 allegations made against the EC Chair and her response in a 28 point rebuttal against some members and staff of the Commission, we at Strategic Thinkers Network (STRANEK) are alarmed by the indications of wanton abuse of taxpayer funds under the management of the Electoral Commission.
From the Chairperson’s response, we see a rather bleak picture of a commission fraught with endemic corruption of which she is trying to cure. We are therefore of the opinion that both allegations should be investigated thoroughly before the reliefs of the petitioners are considered.
We are also of the opinion that in order to preserve and protect the independence of the electoral commission and thus preserve the sanctity of our democracy, any incursion by the executive or parliament into resolving issues relating to the internal matters of the Electoral Commission must be done taking into consideration our National Security.
Sincerely, we are optimistic Mrs. Osei will help in cleaning up corruption in her institution hence we advise that she should not be removed at all. Instead her efforts at cleaning up the commission should be encouraged so more people of courage will be able to stand up against the onslaught of systemic corruption.
