Re: Mrs Charlotte Osei, Ghana’s Electoral Commissioner Unfit For Chatham House Price

The Center for Progressive Governance (CENPROG), Ghana, has observed with utter dismay a petition sent to your noble institution by the group, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), known to be a surrogate of the ruling party, New Patriotic Party (NPP), to seek to dent the credibility of the Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Charlotte Osei and hence unworthy of the being shortlisted for the prestigious award.

AFAG has been noted for their blinkered, blinded and wholly partisan nature which has put them on a warpath with the commission since the group came into existence. Consistently, the group has attacked the EC and tried severally to set right thinking Ghanaians against the commission but to no avail. It is a documented fact that AFAG continuously attacked Dr Afari Gyan when he was chairman of the EC and at various point of his sterling career, they either demonstrated against his stewardship or called for his resignation. Refer to the links below: ( http://politics.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201309/112927.php , http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/AFAG-Threatens-EC-Ghana-s-Peace-Ahead-Of-Elections-249105 )

CenProG is therefore not surprised at the posture of AFAG in relation to the current Chairperson of the EC because immediately after her appointment, leading members of AFAG were all over the Ghanaian media landscape claiming her appointment was questionable. Many other frivolous claims were made against Mrs Charlotte Osei by AFAG. (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/EC-boss-proven-she-s-NDC-s-sweetheart-AFAG-416923 )

CenProG having availed your august institution to the facts, will like to respectfully request that you disregard the claims being made by AFAG against the person of Mrs Charlotte Osei, who short but impressive stay as the Chairperson of EC has set Ghana as a beacon of democracy in Africa and the world. It is also worthy of note that with all the pressure and character assassination by groups such as AFAG, the EC Chairperson did her work diligently and devoid of fear or favour for any of the political groupings in Ghana.

CenProG therefore commends the contribution of Mrs Charlotte Osei to Ghana’s democracy and deem her worthy of this prestigious award by Chatham House. In a country where it is uncommon for women to achieve such height, we find it refreshing that the EC chairperson continues to excel in her new role and serves as a role model to young girls across the country. An award for Mrs Charlotte Osei will not be for just her role in our democratic process but will be a plus for women empowerment in Ghana.

We humbly recommend that you ignore the frivolous and vexatious petition by AFAG whose interest is not that of Ghanaians but of a political party. It is the wish of Ghanaians that officers who excel are awarded so that many others will take a cue and hold themselves as such. Mrs Charlotte Osei is a shining example and therefore worthy of the commendations she rightly deserves.

Yours faithfully,
SAWADOGO MAHMOUD
(EXECUTIVE SECRETARY)
THE PRESIDENT
THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS,
CHATHAM HOUSE,
10 ST JAMES SQUARE,
LONDON SW1Y 4LE
Cc:
HE JOHN BENJAMIN
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER,
ACCRA GHANA