Protect EC’s Credibility In Corruption Probe

A Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Evans Aggrey Darko, has cautioned that possible impeachment proceedings against some top officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) must not compromise the Commission’s mandate.

Speaking to Citi News, Dr. Aggrey Darko stressed that the EC’s credibility needed to be protected given its importance to the country’s democratic processes

“Because it is an institution and because we follow processes, and because there are other actors who precede over the operations of this organization, my interest really, is not really whether this person is going or staying.”

“…My interest is whether or not we are in the processes, we can go through these processes and still ensure, that the dignity, the professionalism, the integrity is still intact such that future election can be conducted and all of us will have confidence in the processes that will be activated by this election management board,” Dr. Aggrey Darko said.

Background
The lecturer’s comments follow concerns over the disruption of the EC's timetable because of the possible impeachment process against Commission's Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, and her two deputies.

Some staff of the EC petitioned President Nana Akufo-Addo, in July 2017, to remove Mrs. Osei from office over alleged corruption.

Some of the allegations concerned the unilateral award of contracts by the EC boss in the run-up to the 2016 general election.

She was accused of funnelling GH¢3.9 million to partition an office, the receipt of a Toyota Land Cruiser from the Mahama government, and the use of about $14 million when the Public Procurement Authority had authorized her to use only $7.5 million.

The unnamed EC staff are being represented by Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang.

On the other hand, Madam Charlotte Osei has written two separate letters to the President and the Chief Justice demanding copies of the petitions sent to their respective offices requesting her removal.

Mrs. Osei has previously denied allegations levelled against her.

She also accused deputy Chairperson of the Commission of illegally signing contracts worth over GHC 40 million without her approval.