In any healthy democracy, the Electoral Commission (EC) must stand as a symbol of impartiality, integrity, and trust. It is the referee in our democratic match, unseen, neutral, and respected by all sides. But in Ghana, that trust is unraveling. Since the appointment of Jean Mensa as EC Chair in 2018, alongside her two deputies, the Commission has been on a steady trajectory of controversy, opacity, and divisiveness. What should be a bulwark of our democratic process has, instead, become a lightning rod for doubt and discord.
The continued stay of Jean Mensa and her deputies is no longer tenable. Their leadership has compromised the credibility of the EC, weakened stakeholder confidence, and fractured the political consensus necessary for free and fair elections. Ghana cannot afford to sleepwalk into another electoral cycle under a Commission clouded by distrust. The time for accountability is now, through voluntary resignation or, failing that, a firm institutional reset.
1. A Leadership That Snubs Consensus
One of the gravest concerns under Jean Mensa’s tenure has been the blatant disregard for stakeholder engagement, particularly with the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC). IPAC was designed as a collaborative platform for all political actors to shape Ghana’s electoral processes through dialogue and consensus.
Yet, under Jean Mensa’s leadership:
The EC often acts unilaterally, bypassing IPAC and rendering it symbolic at best. Policy changes are introduced without sufficient consultation or justification. This top-down approach has bred mistrust, tension, and disillusionment, not just among political parties, but within the public.
When collaboration breaks down in a democracy, suspicion thrives. And that’s exactly where we are now.
2. Partisan Shadows and the Death of Neutrality
Nothing erodes public faith in an election faster than the perception that the referee has a team jersey under the uniform. Unfortunately, the EC under Jean Mensa has been widely accused, rightly or wrongly, of cozying up to the ruling party. For instance, the Jean Mensa-led EC’s questionable timing and decisions appear to favor the previous government, its public statements betray bias, and it exhibits an alarming lack of discretion. Furthermore, a consistent pattern of actions suggests political alignment toward the Opposition NPP Party rather than administrative independence.
Let’s be clear: the EC is neither a contestant nor a beneficiary in elections. Its legitimacy hinges not just on what it does, but how it’s perceived. When the public begins to see the EC as a player in the political arena, its authority is fundamentally compromised.
3. Controversial Reforms, Poor Judgment
The EC has introduced a series of eyebrow-raising reforms that defy logic and public confidence. Examples include eliminating indelible ink, a longstanding and simple anti-fraud mechanism; reducing electoral staff, even in large constituencies, which risks chaos on voting day; etc.
These changes were rolled out with little explanation and even less consensus. For a Commission that should prize transparency and accountability, such opaque reforms only deepen public suspicion and open the floodgates for conspiracy theories and legitimate fears alike.
4. Operational Failures in High-Stakes Moments
The 2020 general elections, arguably one of the most crucial in Ghana’s recent history, were marred by glaring administrative failures:
Delays in releasing results. Confusing tallies and inconsistent data. Poor communication that fed public anxiety and post-election unrest.
Elections are not just about outcomes; they are about process legitimacy. A Commission that botches the logistics of its core mandate cannot be trusted to safeguard the most sacred democratic ritual: the vote.
5. Public Commentary That Breaks the Code of Conduct
Leadership of the EC requires restraint, clarity, and strict neutrality, especially in public discourse. Yet, Jean Mensa and her deputy, Bossman Asare, have on several occasions crossed the line with partisan-sounding remarks and dismissive posturing. That’s not just tone-deaf. It’s dangerous. Electoral referees don’t clap from the stands.
6. Disrespecting the Electoral Workforce
One final, but telling, symptom of administrative neglect has been the consistent failure to promptly pay temporary electoral staff. These frontline workers are essential to any successful election, yet many reports have long delays in compensation, poor treatment, and inadequate communication. That’s not just an HR issue. It reflects a broader problem of leadership that lacks empathy, efficiency, and respect for institutional reputation.
Conclusion: Ghana Deserves Better
We are at a pivotal moment in Ghana’s democratic journey. Trust in the Electoral Commission is no longer given; it must be earned back. And that starts with new leadership.
Jean Mensa and her deputies have shown a troubling pattern: ignoring stakeholders, advancing unpopular reforms, failing administratively, and compromising the Commission’s neutrality. In doing so, they have forfeited the moral authority to preside over Ghana’s future elections.
They must go, voluntarily, or through decisive action by the appropriate institutions. And after they go, there must be a full accountability audit of the EC’s recent conduct to ensure no one is above scrutiny.
