Ishmael Mensah Blog of Monday, 23 December 2024
Source: Ishmael Mensah
President-elect John Dramani Mahama has been encouraged by Professor Stephen Adei, a former rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), not to name a new chairperson for the Electoral Commission (EC).
Despite the change of administration, Prof. Adei has insisted that Jean Mensa, the current chairperson, be permitted to continue her duties.
"Our election process has advanced to the point where no one can alter the results, even if Akufo-Addo or Mahama is elected leader. He claimed that despite Charlotte Osei's presence and Mahama's appointment, he still lost.
He claimed in an interview with TV3, based in Accra, that the country should work to fortify its institutions and that dismissing individuals based on their political affiliations would create unfavorable precedents.
"It's reasonable if we can demonstrate that you have moved past certain basic problems. Corruption is easier to prove than incompetence, so if Jean has done something wrong and we can show it, we can fire her, but not because the NPP appointed her.
"Some of us would have opposed Charlotte Osei's removal because she was appointed by Mahama, but the case involved corruption and procurement violations, and no one could have defended her," he said.
He did point out that there wouldn't be any issues if Mrs. Mensa were to step down on her own.
Additionally, he urged the future administration to prioritize fortifying institutional frameworks over attempting to completely alter important leadership roles.
"We need to figure out how to address mistakes without destroying our institutions. Since the Electoral Commissioner is not on my side, I would not replace her. We've made great progress.
"Hopefully, given what has transpired, Jean will choose to step down. We need to figure out how to improve our institutions rather than destroy them," he continued.
As a new government assumes power on January 7, 2025, requests for Jean Mensa's resignation or removal from office have coincided with Professor Adei's remarks.