The peitition was filed for the removal of Jean Mensa and Kissi Agyebeng
President John Dramani Mahama, on the advise of the Chief Justice of Ghana, has dismissed multiple petitions calling for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC), her deputies, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
A total of ten (10) petitions were submitted to President Mahama for the removal of EC Chairperson Jean Mensa and her deputies, as well as the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, and were forwarded to the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
According to a statement issued by the Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakey Ofosu, on Wednesday, the President dismissed the 10 petitions that were submitted after Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie determined that no prima facie case had been established in the petitions.
“Following the receipt of seven (7) petitions from various individuals and groups for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her Deputies, and three (3) petitions for the removal of the Special Prosecutor, President John Dramani Mahama, in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 15 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), referred same to His Lordship, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Chief Justice, on 25 November 2025, to determine whether the petitions disclosed a prima facie case.
“By a letter dated 26 January 2026, the Chief Justice informed His Excellency the President that no prima facie case had been established by the petitions to warrant any further investigations for the removal of the Electoral Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners and the Special Prosecutor,” the statement reads.
Under the constitution, the Chairperson of the EC and her deputies have the same conditions of service as justices of the superior courts, and their removal is governed by Article 146.
EC staff petitions President Mahama to remove Jean Mensa and deputies
A Justice of the Superior Court, or a Chairman of a Regional Tribunal, can only be removed for stated misbehaviour, incompetence, or inability due to infirmity of body or mind, according to the constitution.
The procedure requires that the president refer any petition to the Chief Justice, who determines whether a prima facie case exists.
If so, a committee comprising three justices or chairmen of regional tribunals and two other independent persons investigates the complaint.
The committee’s findings are submitted to the Chief Justice, who forwards recommendations to the president, who is constitutionally obliged to act accordingly.
Proceedings are held in camera, and the officials involved are entitled to defend themselves.
The removal of the Special Prosecutor is governed by Section 15 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
The grounds for removal include misbehavior, incompetence, incapacity, willful violation of the oath, or conduct that could bring the office into disrepute or harm the state’s security or economy.
Presidency yet to receive petition seeking EC chair's removal - Kwakye Ofosu
Petitions must be referred to the Chief Justice within seven days, after which the CJ has 30 days to assess a prima facie case. If one exists, a committee is established to investigate within 90 days and submit recommendations to the President.
The petitions came amid heightened scrutiny of key constitutional bodies in Ghana, with the process underscoring the checks and balances provided in the constitution to ensure accountability while protecting the independence of officeholders.
Read the statement below:
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