The petition, being spearheaded by Klarity web and Tiger Eye Foundation, seeks to put pressure EC to ensure that it deals with the unnamed official who was captured on video allegedly collecting about GHc30 from desperate Ghanaians who went her office to have their lost ID cards replaced.

[contextly_sidebar id=”k2rHXC2wZos7BVUApbwZ3rVHbaIpN6ur”]In the video, the supposed EC official is seen telling someone who apparently wanted her lost card replaced that she’d have to pay GHc30 for the card to be delivered to her when it is ready.

Per the EC’s regulations, persons seeking to have their cards replaced are supposed to pay GHc5 into the EC’s account at any GCB Bank branch and send the receipts to any of the Commission’s regional or district offices for a new ID card to be issued.

According to Klarity Web, the EC had promised to deal with the matter by January 24, 2018 but nothing has been heard from the Commission since then.

“We believe that corruption should be high risk and a low gain activity, and are happy that many Ghanaians are taking this stand against everyday corruption,” said Eliza Kücükaslan, CEO of Klarity in a statement copied citifmonline.com.

The petitioners believe that for far too long corrupt officials in the Commission have not been held accountable.

“The petition has been delivered to the EC Head of Communication. Klarity and Tiger Eye Foundation along with the over 500 signatories calling the Electoral Commission to get to the bottom of the case and share the outcome from their investigation with the public of Ghana,” Eliza Kücükaslan added.

The group also said the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has met the victim who paid the GHc30 for the ID card replacement and has decided to initiate its own case.

EOCO investigates EC
Meanwhile the Economic and Organized Crime Office [EOCO] is currently investigating some officials of the EC including Deputy Chairperson in charge of Corporate Services, Georgina Opoku Amankwah of any wrongdoing following a probe into a  GHc480,000 believed to have gone missing from the EC’s Senior Staff Endowment Fund.

Three officials were subsequently asked to proceed on leave to enable EOCO investigate the issue.

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Group petitions EC to sanction ‘corrupt’ official appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The meeting, according to Mr. Aggrey-Fynn, is to enable the members take decisions on the operations of the electoral management body.

The memo, which is referenced by a Daily Guide publication, and seen by Citi News suggests that Mr. Aggrey-Fynn in August 2017 similarly wrote demanding a meeting of the Commission but got no response from the Chairperson.

[contextly_sidebar id=”3gkbwB9yjAgOqNhY4jE4vFIezvy5nORo”]“I am by this memo demanding that you call a commission meeting immediately to enable the commission carry to carry out its function.”

Mr. Aggrey-Fynn indicated that “Failure to hear from by 23^rd February, 2018 on my request will leave me with no option than to explore other options of compelling you to do so to enable me perform my constitutional mandate as a member of the commission.”

According to the Daily Guide publication, Mr. Aggrey-Fynn is dissatisfied that Madam Charlotte Osei is managing the electoral management body as though she were a sole Commissioner.

The Electoral Commission is currently engulfed in unending legal tussles many believe is hindering its daily operations.

Chief Justice committee

Currently, a five-member committee presided over by Justice A.A Benin of the Supreme Court, is investigating the EC chair and her two deputies as prescribed under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.

The whole action was triggered by a petition sent to the presidency by lawyer Maxell Opoku-Agyemang who was acting on behalf of some unnamed staff of the commission who were seeking to trigger impeachment proceedings against Charlotte Osei.

A litany of allegations leveled against Charolotte Osei including spending GHc3.9 million to partition an office, receipt of a bullet-proof Toyota Land Cruiser from the previous government, spending about $14 million for district offices when the Public Procurement Authority  (PPA) had authorized her to use only $7.5 million as well as attending Cabinet meetings under President John Mahama’s administration, among others.

Endowment fund and EOCO

Already some executives of Commission including Deputy Chairperson of EC in charge of Corporate Services, Georgina Opoku Amankwah, have been on leave to enable the Economic and Organised Crime Office [EOCO] investigate the commission in relation to some missing sums of money in the Commission’s Endowment Fund.

Madam Opoku Amankwah and two others were directed to proceed on leave in July 2017, to enable investigations into the GHc480, 000 believed to have gone missing from the EC’s Senior Staff Endowment Fund.

The Deputy EC Chair forcibly resumed duty in January 2018, a move which compelled officials of EOCO storm the premises of the commission.

She and her lawyer however gave EOCO a 14-day ultimatum to enable crime office compile its report.

Gov’t using EOCO to hound EC’s Opoku Amankwah – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has also accused the Akufo-Addo government of using the EOCO as a conduit to torment the Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission in charge of Corporate Services, Georgina Opoku Amankwah, in a bid to get her out of office.

According to them, EOCO is hounding Madam Amankwah to give way for government to replace her with a member of the New Patriotic Party.

–

By: Sixtus Dong Ullo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EC member orders Charlotte Osei to convene meeting appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This follows a suit filed by a private citizen, Lolan Ekow Sagoe-Moses, and pressure group Citizens Ghana Movement (CGM), who prayed the court  to compel the Commission to enforce the provisions of the law that mandates all political parties to submit their annual financial statements  to the Commission.

[contextly_sidebar id=”qtlcjqi4I44oIQswISfPJHPn28ZAmUJq”]In his judgment, the Presiding Judge Justice Anthony Yeboah, asked the Electoral Commission to publish a demand notice to all political parties to take immediate steps to comply with the law within six (6) calendar months from the today, Friday, February 9, 2018.

Political parties Act

The Political Parties Act 574 (section 21), states that, political parties shall within six months from December 31 of each year, file with the Commission: a return in the form specified by the Commission indicating – the state of its accounts, the sources of its funds, membership dues paid and contributions in cash or kind.

Other requirements are; the properties of the party and time of acquisition, such other particulars as the Commission may reasonably require, and audited accounts of the party for the year.

CitizenGhana demands records of party assets from EC

Civil society group, CitizenGhana Movement, went to court  to have an order compelling the Electoral Commission to furnish it with copies of the annual audited accounts and assets and revenues of all 24 registered political parties.

The group, in an earlier statement in April 2017, indicated that, it had written to the EC on the 29th of March, 2017 in this regard.

The group said the letter was the first of a series of actions intended “to push for more transparency in the body politic of Ghana.”

–

By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Publish assets, accounts of political parties – Court orders EC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The group said the continuous stay of the officers at post could jeopardize the investigations.

[contextly_sidebar id=”G2hfhnCuLEQ5Cb0BW2WH505fIMHt3abd”]Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo set up a five member committee to probe the allegations, after a prima facie case was established against them based on petitions received.

The Vice Chairman of AFAG, Henry Asante at a news conference in Accra, asked President Akufo Addo to direct the three officers to proceed on leave.

“The workers of Electoral Commission, some of them took it upon themselves based on certain things that they learnt the woman has done together with the Commissioners, and petitioned the presidency. You know how difficult it is to complain about your boss to a higher authority, but they braved it, and a prima facie case has been established against them, so the question is, why are they still in office?”

“AFAG had long expected the President to act and spare the Electoral Commission from damages in credibility. We are not saying she’s done it, but in the rule of natural justice, we must all admit that anybody alleged to have gotten involved in any act of misconduct must give way for fair trial or justice to take place because you might impede with evidence if you continue to hold office.”

Petitions

Some staff of the EC petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in July 2017, to remove Mrs. Osei from office over allegations of fraud and financial malfeasance as well as abuse of office.

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

The petition against her, alleged among others the funnelling of 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.

Amadu Sulley ‘illegally’ took GHC 6m from parties – Charlotte Osei

Mrs. Osei also responded by making allegations of corruption against her deputies, claiming that she was only being hounded because she sought to introduce systems to curb misuse and mismanagement of resources.

Fresh impeachment against EC Chair

Subsequently, another individual by name Douglas Seidu, a concerned Ghanaian, also petitioned the President in August 2017, seeking the removal of the EC Chair, on grounds of “financial misconduct, incompetence, conflict of interest, breaches of the public procurement processes, amongst others.

President Akufo-Addo in accordance with the constitution forwarded both petitions to the Chief Justice to look into the matter, the outcome of which is now a Committee to investigate the three.

Charlotte Osei could remain in office during corruption probe – Lawyer

Meanwhile, a private legal practitioner, Yaw Oppong, had suggested to Citi News that, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, could remain in her position while a probe is conducted into alleged acts of malfeasance by her and two deputies at the Commission.

The Chief Justice and the Judicial Council, may recommend to the President of the Republic, the suspension of the EC Chair from her position, to enable her undergo the hearing.

However, according to Yaw Oppong, unless it is established that her continued stay in office would compromise the investigations, Charlotte Osei could be allowed to remain in her position while she and her deputies are probed.

“In my view, unless it can be seen that the person who is the subject of such an investigation is capable of interfering with the investigation process in terms of suspected cases of concealment of documentary or other forms of information, otherwise I think those persons can still occupy their position,” he said on Eyewitness News.

Yaw Oppong added that, even if the President accepts the recommendation of the Judicial Council and suspends the EC Chair, he could, at any time, reinstate her should he feel the need to do so.

“If the President is of the view that any useful purpose will be served by the person who is the subject of this investigation stepping aside or being suspended in the meantime [he can do so]. But at the same time, Clause 11 says that the President may at any time revoke the suspension under this Article. Perhaps it may be used, but if any purpose may be served by the person being brought back to the position, the President has the power to do so,” he explained.

President not bound by recommendations 

Yaw Oppong also suggested that, the President may not be compelled to implement the recommendations of the Judicial Council should they call for the suspension of Charlotte Osei.

Citing a similar case in which the Supreme Court ruled that the President was not bound by the advice of the Council of State,  Yaw Oppong stated that, it was however vital that the President is seen to have sought the advice of the Judicial Council on the issue, as stated by the Constitution.

“It doesn’t appear that the President may be bound by the advice [of the Judicial Council]. What it really means is that, there should be evidence that the President at least sought the advise of the Judicial Council. And I think that any prudent President, and so far we’ve had prudent presidents, will act on the advise of the Judicial Council,” he said.

“Unless that president may want to also violate the Constitution, which, so far our President has done well not to.  He’s complied essentially with the provisions that have come up for compliance.”

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Order Charlotte Osei, 2 deputies to step aside – AFAG appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Already, some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), have started criticizing the process, accusing the government of seeking to hound the EC Boss, Charlotte Osei.

The three officials met the Chief Justice a week ago, where they were notified that a prima facie case had been established against them.

“The general public is hereby informed that, Her Ladyship the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo, in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, has set up a five-member committee to investigate allegations brought against the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, and her two deputies, Mr. Amadu Sulley and Mrs. Georgina Opopu-Amankwa.”

In a statement signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong, the Chief Justice said anyone who makes comments that undermine the work of the Committee, will be cited for contempt.

[contextly_sidebar id=”zeSXB6dNDTk7bFN2aRTENavynwyhO0Qq”]In a release copied to citifmonline.com, the Judicial Secretary,  said the sittings of the Committee will be closed to the public.

The release, which failed to indicate the names of the Committee members, as well as state exactly when the Committee will start its work, said it will be chaired by a Justice of the Supreme Court.

“The Committee, which will sit in camera, in line with normal practice, consists of three (3) Justices of the Superior Court appointed by the Judicial Council, and two (2) other persons appointed by the Chief Justice, on the advise of the Council of State. The Committee is chaired by a Justice of the Supreme Court.”

“It is the expectation of the Chief Justice and the Judicial Council that the public will treat the Committee with the respect and dignity it deserves, as it carries out its constitutional duty and refrain from making comments that will undermine the work of the Committee, since infractions may amount to contempt.”

The Petitions

Some staff of the EC petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in July 2017, to remove Mrs. Osei from office over allegations of fraud and financial malfeasance as well as abuse of office.

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

The unnamed EC staff are being represented by Lawyer Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, against Mrs. Osei.

The petition against her, alleged among others the funneling of 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.

Charlotte Osei takes on Deputies

Mrs. Osei also responded by making allegations of corruption against her deputies, claiming that she was only being hounded because she sought to introduce systems to curb misuse and mismanagement of resources.

Charlotte Osei among other claims, accused deputy Chairperson of the Commission of illegally signing contracts worth over GHC 40 million without her approval.

Fresh impeachment against EC Chair

Subsequently, another individual by name Douglas Seidu, a concerned Ghanaian, also petitioned the President in August 2017, seeking the removal of the EC Chair, on grounds of “financial misconduct, incompetence, conflict of interest, breaches of the public procurement processes, amongst others.

It is an eight-paged petition” according to the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, who spoke to Citi News in August.

President Akufo-Addo in accordance with the constitution forwarded both petitions to the Chief Justice to look into the matter.

Suggestions are that both petitions have been consolidated to make the Committee’s work easier.

Charlotte Osei could remain in office during corruption probe – Lawyer

Meanwhile, a private legal practitioner, Yaw Oppong, has suggested that Charlotte Osei could remain in her position while the process takes place.

The Chief Justice and the Judicial Council, may now recommend to the President of the Republic, the suspension of the EC Chair from her position, to enable her undergo the hearing.

However, according to Yaw Oppong, unless it is established that her continued stay in office would compromise the investigations, Charlotte Osei could be allowed to remain in her position while she and her deputies are probed.

“In my view, unless it can be seen that the person who is the subject of such an investigation is capable of interfering with the investigation process in terms of suspected cases of concealment of documentary or other forms of information, otherwise I think those persons can still occupy their position,” he said on Eyewitness News.

Yaw Oppong added that, even if the President accepts the recommendation of the Judicial Council and suspends the EC Chair, he could, at any time, reinstate her should he feel the need to do so.

“If the President is of the view that any useful purpose will be served by the person who is the subject of this investigation stepping aside or being suspended in the meantime [he can do so]. But at the same time, Clause 11 says that the President may at any time revoke the suspension under this Article. Perhaps it may be used, but if any purpose may be served by the person being brought back to the position, the President has the power to do so,” he explained.

President not bound by recommendations

Yaw Oppong also suggested that, the President may not be compelled to implement the recommendations of the Judicial Council should they call for the suspension of Charlotte Osei.

Citing a similar case in which the Supreme Court ruled that the President was not bound by the advice of the Council of State, Yaw Oppong stated that, it was however vital that the President is seen to have sought the advice of the Judicial Council on the issue, as stated by the Constitution.

“It doesn’t appear that the President may be bound by the advice [of the Judicial Council]. What it really means is that, there should be evidence that the President at least sought the advise of the Judicial Council. And I think that any prudent President, and so far we’ve had prudent presidents, will act on the advise of the Judicial Council,” he said.

“Unless that president may want to also violate the Constitution, which, so far our President has done well not to. He’s complied essentially with the provisions that have come up for compliance.”

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Avoid contempt against C’ttee probing EC officials – CJ warns appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the manner in which the commissioners handled the 2016 polls, especially their relationship with the various political parties and the current fracas between the commissioners, puts the country’s democracy in danger should they be allowed to preside over the 2020 polls.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NF844Uh3m7HhCJzTbqUDbhMw9aSOfudq”]In a statement copied to citifmonline.com, Adams said “the decision to increase filing fees over 100% in the 2016 elections was a rubber stamp, autocratic and arrogant posture by the EC against the collective objectives of IPAC to allow a level playground for all political parties prior to the 2016 polls. The public pronouncement to disqualify the nominations of some selected political parties even before nominations were opened prior to the 2016 elections, was very immoral and unofficial on the part of the EC Chair.”

Read the full statement below:

WE CAN’T TRUST EC COMMISSIONERS AHEAD OF 2020 POLLS.

The conduct, posture and relationship amongst the EC commissioners and towards political parties prior to and after the 2016 elections could be liking to that of an Iraq – Iran war or better still the recent tension between America and North Korea. The electoral commission is the only key and sensitive institutions of state mandated by law to conduct free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections and the citizens expect nothing less, we are therefore not safe if the EC commissioners themselves are not in working harmony and in peace and also lack transparency amongst themselves at the commission.

The decision to increase filing fees over 100% in the 2016 elections was a rubber stamp, autocratic and arrogant posture by the EC against the collective objectives of IPAC to allow a level play ground for all political parties prior to the 2016 polls. The public pronouncement to disqualify the nominations of some selected political parties even before nominations were opened prior to the 2016 elections was very immoral and unofficial on the part of the EC Chair. The public acrimony, fights, accusations and insults against each other by the EC commissioners just after the 2016 polls should be enough for an impeachment!. Indeed, if impeachment is too strong in our ears, then we kindly, humbly and respectfully ask the EC Chair and her deputies to step aside to avert an impeachment!.

His statement comes to support calls by other Ghanaians who believe the three commissioners should be made to resign or be impeached due to their poor handling of the events before, during and after the December 2016 polls.

Some staff of the EC petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in July 2017, to remove Mrs. Osei from office over allegations of fraud and financial malfeasance as well as abuse of office.

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

The unnamed EC staff, are being represented by Lawyer Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, against Mrs. Osei.

The petition against her alleged among others the funneling of 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.

A prima facie case has since been established against Mr. Osei and her deputies, and a five-member committee is to be set up by Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo to probe the allegations.

Charlotte Osei hits back

Mrs. Osei also responded by making allegations of corruption against her deputies, claiming that she was only being hounded because she sought to introduce systems to curb misuse and mismanagement of resources.

Charlotte Osei among others claims, accused deputy Chairperson of the Commission of illegally signing contracts worth over GHC 40 million without her approval.

Fresh impeachment against EC Chair

Subsequently, another individual by name Douglas Seidu, a concerned Ghanaian, also petitioned the President in August 2017, seeking the removal of the EC Chair, on grounds of  “financial misconduct, incompetence, conflict of interest, breaches of the public procurement processes, amongst others. It is an eight-paged petition ” according to the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, who spoke to Citi News in August.

President Akufo-Addo in accordance with the constitution forwarded both petitions to the Chief Justice to look into the matter.

Suggestions are that both petitions have been consolidated to make the committee’s work easier.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EC Boss, 2 deputies can’t be trusted for credible polls in 2020 – PNC treasurer appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The three top officials of the EC are facing a probe committee set up by Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, following petitions of wrongdoing filed against them.

[contextly_sidebar id=”6LZffDxX36VN5ALZVKWXiQvpO1gKITlo”]While Charlotte Osei’s petition was initiated by some workers of the commission, the embattled EC chairperson is leading the charge of wrongdoing against her two deputies – Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku-Amankwa – in-charge of Operation and Corporate Service respectively.

Interestingly, the NDC has pitched camp with Charlotte against the two other deputies who were all appointed by John Mahama’s administration.

Mrs Charlotte Osei, according to DAILY GUIDE sources, had never had good working relations with the two deputies since she took office in 2015.

Mr Amadu Sulley, according to sources, was even placed on national security radar because the Mahama administration was informed that he was dealing with the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) particularly, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

In what looks like the NDC has more to lose should the EC chairperson be impeached, some of its key elements are even putting their lives on the line to fight for her, saying the whole action is being pushed by the New Patriotic Party government.

There is currently a massive campaign in the media, particularly on social media, by NDC activists in support of the EC chairperson.

Some critics of the opposition party have said the NDC’s posture is threatening the work of the committee investigating Charlotte Osei, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku-Amankwa.

Members of the minority NDC in parliament, led by Haruna Iddrisu, are falling over each other in their rabid defence of Charlotte Osei.

An NDC lawyer, Abraham Amaliba, has even gone to the absurd level, threatening war if Mrs. Osei is removed from office.

He said on Accra FM on Tuesday “…What has the woman done? She has declared election results in your favour and so what again do they want from her that they are using the process to harass her?” he quizzed, adding, “Where are the CDDs? Where are the OccupyGhanas? If it were to be the NDC government all these people would be speaking by now. Where is Emile Short? Where is Professor Martey? This country will burn and we will see where all of us will be and so they should continue doing it.”

On the same Tuesday on Peace FM, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, a vice chairperson of the opposition party and head of NDC election committee, sent a strong warning to President Akufo-Addo not to ‘orchestrate’ a plot to remove the EC boss.

“For the first time, people wanted to throw the supreme law of the land – the constitution – aside because of some parochial interest . . . She’s one of the most vilified public officers ever seen in this country in recent times, but I doff my hat for her that she stood very tall in all this and did her work effectively. As we say, the end justifies the means; she’s been able to work for a successful election,” Mr. Ofosu Ampofo said.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that what is happening now is more political than anything. And I want to caution President Nana Akufo-Addo to be very, very careful because running a nation is not like leading NPP…My caution is that the Chief Justice, the Presidency, must be careful the way they handle this matter.

“.. . I am cautioning the President because this matter is political and I want to say it’s political. And there is lack of transparency in the way this is being handled and it is being handled to achieve a certain end. We’re also in politics. We know the sort of conspiracies that are going round. And I’m cautioning that they must be very, very careful because some people are alleged to have even met and decided the outcome of this matter before the matter even goes there . . . Let us be careful that we do not politically manipulate this to achieve some certain ends…,” he added.

In the ensuing heat, Martin Agyei-Mensah Korsah, a deputy minister of Regional Reorganisation and Development, who was the NPP’s Director of Election during the 2016 general elections, said the outcome of the impeachment process should bring positive reforms.

“Whether the three are impeached or they are cleared, this should lead to a better and reformed commission handling national tasks without fear or favour,” Mr Agyei-Mensah Korsah, who had a very long working relationship with the three commissioners, said on Oman FM in Accra yesterday.

The NDC’s critics have said that the opposition party should not overlook the scandalous press war that ensued between Ms. Osei on one hand and her deputies on the other, when each directly accused the other of being corrupt or said to have abused their respective offices.
–
By: Daily Guide/Ghana

The post NDC fights for EC Boss; dumps Sulley, Georgina appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Their demand follows the establishment of a prima facie case against Mrs. Osei, following allegations of corruption and abuse of office leveled against her in two separate petitions.

[contextly_sidebar id=”VGavdwaY4GwXWBqqZu5w1xgiiH8N7ekz”]The PPP in a statement explained that, it will present “evidence against the Electoral Commission of Ghana” if given the chance to join the case.

“As a lawful party, our shared responsibility is to educate Ghanaians on why our democracy takes place in a framework of a Presidential representative democratic republic, with the President as both head of state and head of government, and with multi-party democracy as our accepted form of democracy,” it argued.

Giving further explanations on the party’s request on Eyewitness News, Policy Adviser for PPP, Kofi Asamoah Siaw said : “over the years, the Electoral Commission and some other institutions have conducted public service in a manner in which they please and they have hurt this nation’s progress and development, so we have taken issues with the Electoral Commission’s function of being a regulator of the activities of political parties.”

“We may not want to wait for this petition to be concluded. You will understand and appreciate that it has taken us a long time from July to this time for us to get to the beginning of the investigation. If anybody has any evidence of misconduct and issues bordering on perjury, then it is the appropriate time now to cease the opportunity as a party to make a representation of what we feel may constitute a ground for another petition to be sent to the President,” Mr. Siaw added.

The PPP is one of the parties that engaged in a back and forth with the EC ahead of the 2016 elections, after its presidential candidate, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, was disqualified from the race over claims by the EC that it had failed in meeting some requirements.

The party headed to court and had a ruling in its favour that allowed its flagbearer to contest the race.

The Petitions

Some staff of the EC petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in July 2017, to remove Mrs. Osei from office over allegations of fraud and financial malfeasance as well as abuse of office.

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

The unnamed EC staff are being represented by Lawyer Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, against Mrs. Osei.

The petition against her, alleged among others the funnelling of 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.

Charlotte Osei takes on Deputies

Mrs. Osei also responded by making allegations of corruption against her deputies, claiming that she was only being hounded because she sought to introduce systems to curb misuse and mismanagement of resources.

Charlotte Osei among other claims, accused deputy Chairperson of the Commission of illegally signing contracts worth over GHC 40 million without her approval.

Fresh impeachment against EC Chair

Subsequently, another individual by name Douglas Seidu, a concerned Ghanaian, also petitioned the President in August 2017, seeking the removal of the EC Chair, on grounds of “financial misconduct, incompetence, conflict of interest, breaches of the public procurement processes, amongst others.

It is an eight-paged petition” according to the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, who spoke to Citi News in August.

President Akufo-Addo in accordance with the constitution forwarded both petitions to the Chief Justice to look into the matter.

Suggestions are that both petitions have been consolidated to make the committee’s work easier.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post PPP seeks to join petition against EC Chair, deputies appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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

[contextly_sidebar id=”jVqVUdCr0fCtDUSFPtg4bczMW9sE45q1″]“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.

–

By: Farida Yusif/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EC’s credibility must be protected in corruption probe – Lecturer appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A document sighted by Citi News indicates that she has written to the President asking for a copy of the petition against her.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rcIsMjBnuW89TsXJ6nRev7C2Iy8s4fbf”]The petition Mrs.Osei refers to was presented by a lawyer, Mr. Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang on behalf of the petitioners, who made some 27 allegations against her.

The EC Chairperson also wrote to the Judicial Service on the same matter according to a different letter sighted by Citi News.

She noted that she has “to this day, not been furnished with a copy of the alleged petition.”

“I was provided with a statement of the allegations made against me in a letter from Her Ladyship, the Chief Justice in which she also asked me to respond to the allegations,” she explained.

Mrs. Osei added that the copy of the petition will enable her to seek the “requisite legal advice.”

Petition from angry staff

Some staff of the EC petitioned President Nana Akufo-Addo in July 2017, to remove Mrs. Osei from office over allegations of fraud and financial malfeasance as well as abuse of office.

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

The petition from the aggrieved employees follows the loss of some GHc480, 000 from the EC’s Endowment Fund which prompted Mrs.Osei to ask the Commission’s Deputy Chairperson in-charge of Finance and Administration, Georgina Opoku Amankwah and the Finance Director, Dr. Joseph Kweku Asamoah to proceed on leave.

The petition against her, alleged among others the funnelling of 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.

Cause for probe

There has been some merit found in some of the corruption allegations against Mrs. Osei resulting in a prima facie case being established against her.

Her two deputies, Amadu Sulley (in charge of Operations), and Georgina Opoku Amankwa will also have to answer for their alleged roles in the disappearance of the GHc480,000 from the Endowment Fund, among other allegations.

The three EC officials appeared individually before the Chief Justice in the company of their lawyers, at the office of the Judicial Service located at the Supreme Court on Monday.

Indications are that Mrs. Osei will have to only answer to six of the 27 allegations made against her as the others were found to be unfounded.

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EC boss writes to Nana Addo, wants copy of petition against her appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.