Charlotte Osei given 14 days to seek legal redress

Sammy Gyamfi, Convener of anti-corruption group, Coalition for Social Justice (CSJ), has given former Electoral Commissioner Charlotte Osei a 14-day ultimatum to seek legal redress following her “unlawful” dismissal from the Commission.

President Akufo-Addo last week removed the head of the electoral body, Charlotte Osei and her two deputies following a recommendation by the Committee set up by the Chief Justice to probe allegations against the three.

Mrs Charlotte Osei and her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwaa, were removed from office in accordance with the recommendations of the Chief Justice's committee which probed numerous allegations levelled against them.

According to CSJ, the erstwhile EC Chair is a victim of injustice hence the unjust decision borders on the foundation of democracy and a desecration of principles on which the Electoral Commission was found.

Speaking at a press conference, Samuel Gyamfi, who was of the view that Charlotte Osei was void of accusations directed towards her, said he was disappointed with the President for including the EC in his recent back to back dismissal of heads of key state institutions under his watch.

In his words, the coalition is “deeply worried” since Akufo-Addo seem to be towing the line of authoritative former African heads of state.

“We are highly disappointed that the President, who represents the aspirations of the Ghanaian people, continues to act in pursuit of narrow political self-interest, at the expense of nationalist considerations. President Akufo-Addo is gradually becoming a tyrant in the league of the Jack-Bedel Bokassas and the Idi Amins,” he indicated.

Without mincing words, he stated in her defence, “Whilst we respect Mrs Charlotte Osei’s privacy in this matter, we wish to state that if within the next fourteen (14) days, she does not seek legal redress on this illegality, we would proceed to court to challenge this egregious injustice.”

Mr. Gyamfi disclosed his outfit’s readiness to mount pressure on the government by pronouncing intentions to petition international bodies such as ECOWAS, the African Union, United Nations and as well as embark on a series of mass protests throughout the country to drum their concerns.