Akufo-Addo -Jean Mensa Has “Impeccable Reputation”

• Posted on July 24, 2018
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

President Akufo-Addo’s nominee as Electoral Commission chairperson, Mrs. Jean Mensa, is a perfect choice, despite mixed reactions from political parties, according to the First Lady.

Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo is optimistic the Institute of Economic Affairs boss will discharge her duties as the head of the Electoral Management Body diligently.

She described the policy researcher and advocate as someone with “impeccable reputation.”
“I am excited about the appointment of Mrs. Jean A. Mensa as the Chair Person of the Electoral Commission,” Mrs. Akufo-Addo tweeted hours after the announcement.

She prayed for “wisdom and fortitude” for the nominee “to handle” the position above reproach.
“She has an impeccable reputation for being hardworking & efficient. I pray that God gives her wisdom &fortitude to handle this position. Congratulations, Mrs. Jean A. Mensa,” she added.

I am excited about the appointment of Mrs Jean A. Mensa as the Chair Person of the Electoral Commission. She has an impeccable reputation for being hardworking & efficient. I pray that God gives her wisdom &fortitude to handle this position. Congratulations, Mrs Jean A. Mensa. pic.twitter.com/GvuUeEmcmK

— Rebecca Akufo-Addo (@RAkufoAddo) July 23, 2018

Meanwhile, the main opposition party the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described Mensa’s nomination as “senseless and indecent”.

“We are shocked because until this appointment the president had given assurance to the nation that the persons to be appointed into the Commission would be persons whose integrity and political neutrality would be above board,” bemoaned the largest opposition party in a statement Monday.

The statement signed by the General Secretary of the NDC Johnson Asiedu Nketia added “for President Akufo-Addo to proceed contrary to his earlier assurances to appoint a known pro-NPP and an avowed anti-NDC person like Mrs. JEAN MENSA to chair a commission which would organize elections involving the NPP and NDC as the main contenders defy all senses of decency, fairness and justice and amount to a gross abuse of the discretionary powers of appointment vested in him by the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.”

Jean Mensa was nominated by President Akufo-Addo on July 19 as the chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).

She is to replace Charlotte Osei who was removed with her two deputies – Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwah – by the President following recommendations by a committee set up by the Chief Justice to probe a petition against them.

A statement announcing the nominations of Mrs. Mensah and three others dated July 19 and signed by the Chief of Staff Frema Opare said the President after seeking the advice of the Council of State in accordance with Article 70(2) of the constitution nominated  Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensah — Chairperson, Mr. Samuel Tettey — Deputy Chairperson,. Dr. Eric Asare Bossman — Deputy Chairperson, Ms. Adwoa Asuama Abrefa — Member of the Commission.

According to the letter, the “President Akufo-Addo is hopeful that the Council of State will discharge its constitutional duty expeditiously, to enable him to make these critical appointments to this very important institution of State.”