Electoral Commission Staffer Who Petitioned for Jean Mensa’s Removal Currently Under Interdiction
- The Electoral Commission staff member who petitioned to remove Chairperson, Jean Mensa, is currently in a tight spot
- The man pushing for Jean Mensa's sacking has been identified as Joseph Blankson Adumadzie
- Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution outlines the procedure for removing heads of independent constitutional bodies
Joseph Blankson Adumadzie, the Electoral Commission staff member who petitioned President John Mahama to remove Chairperson Jean Mensa and her two deputies, was under interdiction.
His interdiction is related to allegations around the commission's Biometric Verification Devices.
Source: Facebook
Despite this, Citi News reported that Adumadzie insists his personal situation is not what pushed him to take action against Mensa.
He claims his motivation is out of concern about how the commission is being managed.
The commission took him to court over the matter, but he was not found guilty.
“For a while now, I don’t go to work. I have not resigned, I have not been sacked. I am on an interdiction. It’s a whole lot."
“They sued me and couldn’t prove anything. And for one year, I won the case, and I have sued them,” he added.
Adumadzie's petition was submitted in line with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the procedure for removing heads of independent constitutional bodies.
He has 12 grounds of alleged misconduct against the Mensa and her deputies. These include cronyism, abuse of office, and gross incompetence.
He argued that their actions have undermined public confidence in the Commission and pose a threat to Ghana’s electoral credibility.
Article 146 and removal of the Electoral Commission chair
The foundation of triggering Article 146 is linked to Article 44 (2) which says the Chairman of the Electoral Commission shall have the same terms and conditions of service as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
Per the dictates of clause 3 of Article 146 of the national constitution, the president after receiving the petition, can only forward it to the Chief Justice for the determination of a prima facie case.
Clauses four and five say that where the Chief Justice decides that there is a prima facie case, he shall set up a committee, and the committee shall investigate the complaint and shall make recommendations to the CJ, who shall forward it to the President.
Article 146 deals with the removal of justices of superior courts and chairmen of regional tribunals.
Jean Mensa to follow after Charlotte Osei?
Mensa became the Electoral Commission chairperson after Charlotte Osei was removed under controversial circumstances.
Source: UGC
Osei, the first woman to serve in that position, was removed from office on June 28, 2018, following recommendations by a special committee investigating claims of corruption after a petition.
She was sacked along with her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwa, over alleged incompetence and misappropriation of funds.
Criticism of Jean Mensa's election management
YEN.com.gh reported that Mensa has faced criticism for her management of the commission.
IMANI Africa, for example, petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice because of the commission's conduct and role in the disenfranchisement of residents in the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi, and Likpe (SALL) areas in the 2020 parliamentary elections.
Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has also consistently criticised Mensa and hinted at plans for her removal.
Advisor to President John Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, also entreated Mensa to resign after the 2024 elections, arguing that she proved she was incompetent and showed her partisan dealings, which are against the rules of her office.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
