The Centre for Democracy and Socio-Economic Development (CDS), a civil society organization, has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama, urging him not to initiate any action to remove the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Jean Mensa, and her deputies.
This petition comes in response to two separate submissions to the presidency by the Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement Ghana and an individual, Daniel Ofosu-Appiah. These petitions call for the removal of Mrs. Mensa, her deputies Dr. Bossman Asare and Samuel Tettey, as well as Dr. Peter Atuahene, another member of the Commission.
In what appears to be a counter-petition, CDS is appealing to President Mahama to dismiss the petitions, citing the need to preserve the independence and integrity of the Electoral Commission. The group warns that acting on these removal requests would set a dangerous precedent, one that could threaten Ghana’s democratic foundations.
“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,” the CDS petition stated.
CDS drew parallels to events in 2017, when the then-chairperson of the EC and her deputies were removed from office—an action widely perceived as politically motivated. According to the organization, repeating such a process under the current administration would risk deepening public cynicism and political polarization around the EC.
The petition emphasized the need for electoral bodies to remain impartial and free from political influence, asserting that the sanctity of Ghana’s democracy hinges on the EC’s independence.
“Your Excellency, the fundamental principle that electoral commissions should be independent of political influence should outweigh all other considerations,” the petition said. “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 Centre concluded by urging President Mahama to rise above partisan interests and safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s electoral processes. It cautioned that removing the EC leadership based on petitions could reduce the Commission to a political tool, subject to change with every new administration.
