The petitions seeking the removal of Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa, her two deputies, and Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng have officially been forwarded to the Chief Justice for consideration, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has confirmed.
Speaking on Joy Midday News, Kwakye Ofosu clarified that the petitions, received by President John Dramani Mahama last week, have completed all procedural steps required on the executive side. “Every process that needed to be done has been undertaken. The process for doing so is quite clear. At this stage, it has left the hands of the president beyond conveying the petitions to the Chief Justice,” he said.
A total of ten petitions were submitted to the presidency: seven targeting the EC Chairperson and her deputies – Dr. Bossman Eric Asare, in charge of Corporate, and Samuel Tettey, responsible for Operations – and three aimed at the Special Prosecutor.
According to Ghana’s Constitution, the appointment and removal of EC officials fall under Article 70(2), which empowers the president, acting on the advice of the Council of State, to appoint the Chairperson, Deputy Chairpersons, and members of the commission.
Crucially, the law stipulates that EC Chairpersons and their deputies serve under terms and conditions equivalent to those of judges of the superior courts. Consequently, their removal process mirrors that of judicial officials, ensuring a high threshold for dismissal and adherence to legal due process.
Minister Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that the petitions are now a matter for the judiciary, under the oversight of the Chief Justice, who is expected to act in accordance with Ghanaian law. “Everything now rests with the Chief Justice, who I believe will act in accordance with Ghanaian law,” he reassured the public.
The development underscores the constitutional checks and balances in the governance of Ghana’s independent institutions, highlighting the legal safeguards in place to ensure that any action against top officials is conducted transparently and within the bounds of the law.
Observers note that the petitions have stirred public debate about accountability in key state institutions, but constitutional procedures are designed to protect both the integrity of the offices and the rights of the officeholders.
As the matter moves forward, all eyes are on the Chief Justice and the judiciary to determine whether the petitions merit further investigation or action, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to rule of law and procedural fairness in the governance of independent institutions.
