Akufo-Addo to name another woman as new Electoral Commissioner next week

MyNewsGH.com can confirm that barring any last minute change of plans, President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will name another woman as replacement for sacked Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei and later, announce the names of the replacements for her two dismissed deputies; Georgina Amankwaa and Amadu Sulley.

Earlier, MyNewsGH.com reported how quickly the president intended to fill the vacuum as preparation for the next election is set to commence soon and the Commission needs a leadership in place as soon as possible. The EC is expected to also begin the process towards a referendum for the creation of new regions next year as well as the election of MMDCEs in 2019, to be followed by the ultimate 2020 elections.

Our sources close to the seat of government say, “the President doesn’t intend to look so much outside the current EC Team. But he is open to build consensus on the matter so things can change. What I can tell you MyNewsGH.com on authority is that the president has said the position should go to a woman who qualifies if other stakeholders will agree with him, and so far he has support for that.”

Asked about the intense lobbying ongoing for the EC top job within government, our source said “it is normal, we are a government and lobbying is part of the system. People see opportunities and feel they are qualified, nothing wrong with that. But the president knows the decision is beyond his government alone. Didn’t you see how he selected Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor? Come on, the president understands consensus, you should know that by now”

MyNewsGH.com understands that government is yet unclear on whether EC boss intends to fight her sack or accept it in good fate, which would make progress towards her replacement and work on the next election faster.

Mrs Charlotte K.S Osei had said she will speak up after the heat on the death of former Vice President Amissah-Arthur subsides.

Earlier, MyNewsGH.com reported the words of Eugene Arhin thus:

“I can assure you that as quickly as possible the president of the republic will make some announcement as to the replacement. I wouldn’t be able to say if it is going to be a day, two days or a week, but as quickly as possible, the president will make an announcement in this regard,” Eugene Arhin had said on Citi FM.



Background

President Akufo-Addo on Thursday night announced in a statement that he had removed the Electoral Commission chairperson, Charlotte Osei and her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwah following the receipt of a report from a committee set up by the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo, pursuant to Article 146(4) of the Constitution, to investigate separate complaints brought against her and her two deputies.

The Committee concluded that Charlotte Osei blatantly breached procurement laws in the award of several contracts in her three-year period at the helm of affairs, prior to the 2016 elections.

Excerpts of the report released by government says the committee investigated six separate allegations of various procurement breaches, for which a prima facie case was established against Madam Charlotte Osei.

The Committee recommended their removal on the basis of stated misbehavior and incompetence, pursuant to Article 146 (1) of the Constitution.



The provisions of Article 146 (9) of the Constitution require the President to act in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee.

The removal of the three (3) officials come at a time when the country is considering holding elections for MMDCEs and also a possible referendum for the creation of new regions as well as begin preparations for general elections in 2020.