Pro-NPP Pressure group, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), has joined calls for the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her deputies to step aside, following allegations of financial malfeasance leveled against them.
Madam Charlotte Osei and her deputies have come under extreme pressure to resign, following allegations of corruption made against her by employees of the Commission.
The group, at a press conference today, January 25, petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to with immediate effect ask the EC Boss to leave her post for further investigation.
They were emphatic that “Her continued stay undermines the credibility of the Electoral Commission. Her presence undermines the principle of fair trial. With her still at post, she stampede the availability of witnesses.”
In a statement read, AFAG wonders “Why President Akufo-Addo has failed to ask the EC boss Mrs. Charlotte Osei to step aside from the Commission when the Chief Justice has established a prima facie case in the allegations against her.”
“AFAG urges you [President] to take the honorable Executive step by asking Madam Charlotte Osei and her deputy commissioners to step-aside for fair and equitable investigations to be carried out. We need to remind you that The EC is such an important institution in maintaining peace and stability in this country and it is only appropriate that we the citizens do not have clouds in our minds about the nonalignment and impartiality of our Electoral Commission”, portion of the statement read.
Below is the full statement
MR. PRESIDENT WE ARE DISAPPOINTED: EC COMMISIONERS MUST STEP ASIDE
Alliance For Accountable Governance is puzzled as to why President Akufo Addo has failed to ask the EC boss Mrs. Charlotte Osei to step aside from the Commission when the Chief Justice has established a prima facie case in the allegations against her.
It is on record that a number of grave allegations have been hovering over and around the office of Madam Charlotte Osei to the extent that workers of the Electoral Commission braved the fear of victimization they are likely to suffer at work to petition the office of the President for her removal from office.
Furthermore, the aggrieved staff of the Electoral Commission called for the removal of Commissioner while leveling numerous allegations against her including the decision to side-step due procurement procedure and single handedly awarding contracts, compromising the independence and neutrality of the commission, engaging in cronyism, and approving contracts that are valued and above the approved threshold by the Public Procurement Authority and the misappropriation of the EC’s Endowment fund of employees.
As a precedent, in January of 2015, Madam Lauretta Lamptey, the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) was suspended by President John Mahama following the establishment of a prima facie case against her by the Chief Justice, Madam Georgina Wood for professional misconduct. This is as a result of a GHc180, 000.00 she spent to renovate her official residence. Similarly, nearly seven months ago, in another direct instance, Mrs. Charlotte Osei suspended Mrs. Georgina Amankwa when an allegation case was made against her for siphoningGHc480, 177.87! the case Dr Richard Anane is another example. AFAG had long expected the President to act and spare the Electoral Commission from further damage in credibility.
AFAG, no doubt, sees these allegations as more serious in nature than that of Madam Lauretta Lamptey when then President Mahama decisively asked her to proceed on leave, yet Madam Charlotte Osei is still at post exercising the full powers of her office and jeopardizing any evidence, which might be used against her. We strongly hold the position that the outcome of whatever investigation that would be conducted could be compromised if she continues to remain in office.
OUR RESOLUTION
1.The presence of Mrs. Charlotte Osei intimidates witnesses who are still workers of the Commission
2.Her continued stay undermines the credibility of the Electoral Commission
3.Her presence undermines the principle of fair trial.
4.With her still at post, she stampede the availability of witnesses
5.Finally Mrs. Charlotte Osei having leveled allegations of
malfeasance against her two deputies, AFAG further recommends all three commissioners should be asked to step aside till cleared.
Mr. President, AFAG urges you to take the honorable Executive step by asking Madam Charlotte Osei and her deputy commissioners to step-aside for fair and equitable investigations to be carried out. We need to remind you that The EC is such an important institution in maintaining peace and stability in this country and it is only appropriate that we the citizens do not have clouds in our minds about the nonalignment and impartiality of our Electoral Commission.
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Under Article 146, it's only the president who can suspend the EC Chair and the two Deputies through a petition. However, the mere fact that prima facie case has been established by the Chief Justice against the three does not necessarily result in their suspension by the president. The suspension must be recommended by the committee established by the Chief Justice to deal with the petition as part of the impeachment process. Unless the committee recommends their suspension, the president cannot suspend any of the three. Charlotte Osei and EOCO has no authority to suspend Mrs Georgina Opoku Amankwah because that is the prerogative of the president. Therefore, her suspension by EOCO is unconstitutional and also amounts to usurpation of presidential powers by EOCO. Last, the mere fact that the CHRAJ boss was suspended during the impeachment process does not mean the three EC bosses should also be suspended. It depends on the merit of each case and the suspension must be on the advice of the Chief Justice Committee. AFAG should take time to study the 1992 Constitution before they take on constitutional matters. Their recommendations or demands are more likely to cause harm to Ghana's democracy than the continued presence of the three EC officers at work. Under Article 146, it's only the president who can suspend the EC Chair and the two Deputies through a petition. However, the mere fact that prima facie case has been established by the Chief Justice against the three does not necessarily result in their suspension by the president. The suspension must be recommended by the committee established by the Chief Justice to deal with the petition as part of the impeachment process. Unless the committee recommends their suspension, the president cannot suspend any of the three. Charlotte Osei and EOCO has no authority to suspend Mrs Georgina Opoku Amankwah because that is the prerogative of the president. Therefore, her suspension by EOCO is unconstitutional and also amounts to usurpation of presidential powers by EOCO. Last, the mere fact that the CHRAJ boss was suspended during the impeachment process does not mean the three EC bosses should also be suspended. It depends on the merit of each case and the suspension must be on the advice of the Chief Justice Committee. AFAG should take time to study the 1992 Constitution before they take on constitutional matters. Their recommendations or demands are more likely to cause harm to Ghana's democracy than the continued presence of the three EC officers at work.
based on the issue that she took a deal that parliament did not approve so we should go the order of mahamah against lady lamptey is not conc, she can take emergency decisions and later alert us since it was pressing. so let's wait for a right report in full and a proper decision will be taken...
HE BELONGS TO THE SAME OCCULTIC/ ILLUMINATI/ FREEMANS GROUP INCLUDING MR. SIAW ( ZOOMLION'S OWNER). THE PRESIDENT CANNOT DO FOKO, ELSE HE WILL BE PUNISHED BY THE SECRET SOCIETY. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO JOHN DEMELLO WHEN HE STOLE STATE VEHICLE? NOTHING, HE IS WALKING FREE. IN FACT, EC BOSS IS A FREE WOMAN, SHE CAN DO WHATEVER SHE WANTS BECAUSE OF HER ASSOCIATION WITH THIS SECRET SOCIETY WITH AKKUFO ADDO.
That is the first step the petitioners must take. In the case of former CHRAJ boss, according to Sampson Lardi Ayenini, then Lawyer of the Petitioner, he wrote for the Boss to step aside, giving reason for his request.