Allegations not strong enough to remove Jean Mensah as EC Chair –  Ayikoi Otoo

Former Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada Ayikoi Otoo has weighed in on the petition filed by Kwame Ofosu-Appiah seeking the removal of Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa and her deputies.

Ayikoi Otoo who was a former Attorney General says that allegations against the EC leadership are not strong enough to warrant their dismissal, emphasising the need to distinguish between personal opinions expressed before assuming office and their official conduct while in office.

Reacting to allegations that the EC used its discretion to disenfranchise residents of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) in the 2020 parliamentary elections, Ayikoi Otoo said, “I have looked at it, and they do not think that they meet the very serious issues that one would want to look at when we want to remove the EC. I don’t see any of those things as very serious.”

He pointed out that some of the claims against the EC officials stem from statements or actions they made before taking office.

“You know, young men can take to doing all sorts of things, such as even experimenting with drugs. And then they grow up, they wean themselves off those things. They realize that it’s not the best. I mean, these are not things that ought to have engaged themselves. It doesn’t mean that they are forever barred from holding office or doing anything,” he stated.

Ayikoi Otoo likened such situations to individuals who express personal opinions before assuming sensitive positions, such as judges.

The former Attorney General also emphasized that the Chief Justice is the appropriate authority to determine whether the issues raised in the petition meet the threshold for removal.

“It is for the CJ to determine whether it can be said to be of any weight. From where I sit, I don’t see anything weighty enough to justify their removal,” he said.

These are serious constitutional matters, and while people are entitled to seek redress, we must be careful not to rush into conclusions that undermine institutions,” he said.