When the wind blows against others’ house, you say it’s just a breeze, but when it blows against yours, you cry ‘storm’! You’re selective in your outrage, supporting an institution when it benefits you, but condemning it when it doesn’t. This hypocrisy undermines trust and credibility. Consistency is key; fairness and justice should be applied equally, regardless of whose ox is gored.
A trusted institution is like a sacred vessel; once cracked, it can never hold water again.
The Electoral Commission (EC) in Ghana, under the leadership of Jean Mensa, has been criticized for its failure to uphold voters’ rights and conduct elections fairly and transparently. The commission has been accused of voter disenfranchisement, electoral mismanagement, and lack of accountability, which has eroded public trust and led to calls for its overhaul. One of the most significant instances of misconduct was during the 2020 general elections, where over 40,000 eligible voters were denied their right to vote. The commission dismissed this as a bureaucratic mix-up, contradicting Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. Jean Mensa has not faced any repercussions for this breach of duty.
The Ghanaian electoral commission (EC) faced a crisis following the Techiman South constituency tragedy, where eight Ghanaians lost their lives while defending their right to vote. The EC maintained silence, with Jean Mensa failing to testify or acknowledge the severity of the situation. The EC also attempted to make the Ghana Card the sole identification document for voter registration in 2023 and 2024, effectively sidelining millions of citizens who did not have the card or were unable to obtain one. This was a deliberate attempt at exclusion, aiming to shape electoral outcomes. Public outcry forced the EC to abandon this plan.
The commission’s mismanagement culminated in the recent controversial decision to rerun parliamentary elections in 19 polling stations within the Ablekuma North constituency due to unverifiable results. This decision raises serious questions: How is it that results were declared in the first place, only to be deemed untrustworthy later? The decision to hold a rerun is not merely an administrative oversight; it symbolizes a failure in oversight and governance that transcends careless errors and hints at an erosion of the rule of law.
In light of these unfolding calamities, it is no surprise that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia has vocally demanded the entire EC leadership be dismissed. His assertion that the commission has failed in its core duty to conduct credible elections echoes the sentiments of many disillusioned Ghanaians. The urgency to “reset” the EC is palpable, as its current leadership not only undermines the credibility of future elections but also threatens the foundation of Ghana’s democracy.
It is striking that the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which previously supported the present EC leadership regardless of its merits, is now opposing it. Does the NPP’s reversal imply that the current EC’s choices do not serve their interests in the Ablekuma North case? The EC used to get ready support, but as political tides change, charges about its competence have taken its place. The genuineness of the NPP’s support for electoral integrity is called into question by this seeming opportunism.
NPP’s decision to take the matter to court to lay an injunction has now decided to boycott the re run on Friday, 11th July, 2025 is a testament to the growing distrust in the EC.
The leadership of the EC, led by Jean Mensa and her deputy leaders, did not exhibit the impartiality and competence needed for the position at hand. It is really distressing to learn that one of the referees among other unhealthy remarks refers to one of the political parties as a threat to democracy. The commission has continuously disregarded the Constitution and the people it is supposed to represent.
What remains undeniable, however, is the deep sense of public discontent with an Electoral Commission that has lost its way. The failures under Jean Mensa and her deputies demonstrate that they do not fulfill the responsibilities outlined in Article 146 of the Constitution, which provides for the removal of officials who misbehave or show gross incompetence.
It’s time to reset the EC. The EC needs a new leadership that can restore trust and credibility to the electoral process. The current leadership has demonstrated a clear bias and incompetence, and it’s time for them to go. The Constitution provides for the removal of officers who abuse their office or show gross incompetence, and the EC’s leadership meets that bar.
With such an extensive track record of failures, the case for their removal is so strong and necessary for the future of Ghana’s democracy.
The implications of maintaining this compromised leadership are severe, as it threatens to undermine the democratic principles that Ghanaians hold dear. To safeguard the future, the Electoral Commission must undergo a complete overhaul, ensuring that the voters’ rights are safeguarded, and power returns to the citizens—where it rightfully belongs.
A ship with a leaky hull will sink, no matter how calm the sea; it’s time to repair the EC’s hull and set sail for a brighter democratic future.
