Pressure group, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has called on the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo to as matter of urgency direct the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei and her Deputies Georgina Opoku Amankwah and Amadu Sulley to step aside.
The leadership of the Commission has been under fire for quite some time now due to allegations and counter-allegations levelled against themselves and workers of the Commission on grounds of misappropriation, procurement abuses, embezzlement amongst others.
AFAG is of the view that since a prima facie case has been established against the Chairperson it is proper and prudent that she steps aside since her continued stay in office undermines the credibility of the Electoral Commission.
Addressing a press conference at the SSNIT Guests House, the Vice President, Henry Haruna, argued that Madam Charlotte Osei’s presence also undermines the principle of fair trial and as well stampedes the availability of witness hearing.
Her presence they say intimidates her workers at post who also double as witnesses or accusers.
And that the EC Chair, having leveled allegations of malfeasance against her two deputies, all three persons should be interdicted to pave way for justice to take its course.
According to Henry Haruna Asante, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo should follow the precedent where former Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Madam Lauretta Lamptey was suspended by former President John Dramani Mahama.
This was when a prima facie case was established against her by the former Chief Justice Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood on grounds of professional misconduct. She (Lauretta Lamptey) was found to have spent GHC 180, 000 to renovate her official residence.
AFAG therefore sees the allegations hovering around Charlotte Osei and her deputies as so grievous in nature than that of Madam Lauretta Lamptey, but the three Commissioners are still at post.
“We strongly hold the position that the outcome of whatever investigation that would be conducted could be compromised if she continues to remain in office – hence the need for their interdiction.
“Mr. President, we AFAG humbly urge you to take the honourable executive step by asking Madam Charlotte Osei and her two Deputy Commissioners to step-aside for fair and equitable investigation to be carried out,” Henry Asante mentioned.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com