The outgoing U.S Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson has described the appointment of Jean Mensa as the next EC Chairperson as a good choice.
Mrs. Jean Mensa, the Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs was appointed by President Akufo-Addo on Monday to head Ghana’s electoral body after the removal of Charlotte Osei for misbehaviour and incompetence.
The opposition NDC has rejected Mrs. Mensa’s nomination describing her as politically tainted.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has also described the nomination as “regrettable.” According to him, the nomination has the potential to “erode Ghana’s democratic credentials.”
But speaking to Journalists Tuesday, the Ambassador Jackson who is expected to depart Ghana soon said the opposition parties must channel their concerns over Mrs. Mensa to the vetting committee.
“I know Jean Mensa, I respect her, I think that she – from what I know – is a good choice to head the Electoral Commission”.
“If the opposition, whether it’s the NDC or other parties have concerns about her fitness for the job, then they should bring those concerns during the vetting process and let everyone have their say and people can make a decision and the public can make its views known.
“But it’s important the Electoral Commission gets back to work. For more than a year now the commission has been largely paralysed by this impeachment process, it plays a very important role in the country, it’s vital that Ghana moves ahead, both with the process of creating new regions – if voters wish to do that – and with electing local municipal officials as well as prepare for the 2020 parliamentary and presidential elections, so, let’s make certain everyone is satisfied with the people that the president has proposed, let’s get the commission back to work and move on so that the commission is in the best possible position to be a neutral arbiter for the next elections”, Mr Jackson added.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
