As the United States appreciates Mrs. Charlotte Osei…

Folks, isn't it interesting that the United States Government would see things beyond the surface to honour Mrs. Charlotte Osei, contrary to the shameful campaign of vilification by her detractors (mostly hiding behind the smokescreen of anonymity created for them by their political forces)?

I am more than delighted at the timing of the award and the fact hat Mrs. Osei truly deserves it. Here is why:

"The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei has been honoured with the United States Department of State’s Women of Courage Award for 2017. Presenting the award, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson affirmed that “Charlotte Osei epitomizes the phrase, woman of courage.”

Mr. Jackson in his speech praised Charlotte Osei for her bravery before, during and after the 2016 general elections. He noted the reforms Mrs. Osei undertook reforms at the Commission to guarantee the credibility of the 2016 election and minimise the risk of a disputed outcome." *See https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/US-Government-honours-Charlotte-Osei-with-Women-of-Courage-Award-572378).The operation phrase that undergirds this award is: "woman of courage". And, indeed, Mrs. Osei is such a "woman of courage" to be admired and supported!!

Being the first woman to become the Chair of Ghana's EC, she stands tall for acknowledgement. Having already cleanly supervised Election 2016 to win the goodwill of even her daredevil detractors in the NPP camp who had done their worst in opposing her appointment, in raising needless dust just to tarnish her reputation, and in doing just anything out of desperation to create the unfortunate impression that she was in bed with the ex-President and his NDC to rig Election 2016, the reality proved them wrong to the hilt.

Yet, they aren't done with their diabolical manouevres, which explains the current agitations and manipulation of the system to continue harassing her out of office. They will fall on their own swords. This award speaks volumes to shine the light on her, not to support the campaign of calumny against her.

I don't know how long this award has been in existence or who else has won it; but its being awarded to Mrs. Osei at this time that her detractors have intensified their campaign of calumny with the view to getting Akufo-Addo to remove her from office signifies a lot that must not be glossed over.

If for nothing at all, it bolsters/boosts Mrs. Osei's integrity and portrays her as someone who knows how to do her job to be admired by those who value quality performance by holders of such sensitive public offices.

And her resilience has sustained peace in Ghana. Shouldn't she be highly commended for doing so instead of being dragged along on this rough road by those who see nothing good about others but themselves?

But for Mrs. Osei's dogged insistence on happenings at the polls being announced to the people as their verdict, Ghana would have been plunged into more terrible trouble than is happening in other countries because of electoral crisis.

She deserves the award and many more for being a woman of valour and integrity, holding such a position in our time. She is a very good example to be emulated elsewhere in the world.

In short, then, by conferring this award on Mrs. Osei, the US Government has largely sent the warning signal to those bent on undermining her, giving her a bad name to be "hanged", and creating the negative impression that she is an obstacle to Ghana's democratic growth to think more than twice.

Thus, Mrs. Osei should be left alone to do what she is in office to do. If she could weather the storm (of needless name-calling and dirty politics against her) to superintend over the peaceful polls in December last year, nothing should prevent her from doing so in subsequent seasons.

The award has come at the opportune time to reinforce Mrs. Osei's standing. Those who are bent on destroying her will fail. Even as I wait for the first petty-minded NPP buff to come out with the stupid claim that she lobbied for the award or that she "bought" it, I remain unmoved that a "woman of courage" she is, indeed!! And I am gladdened by her steadfastness that despite all the insults, intimidation, and whatever else being done or said to “minimize” her, she remains focused to do the job given her. She stands firm as the Rock of Gibraltar, a strong pillar to lean on for the good of Ghana’s democracy.

Let those who think otherwise pursue their diabolical interests until everything explodes in their ugly faces. Ghana deserves better, which the award conferred on Mrs. Osei signifies.

I shall return…

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