Probe EC –GII

The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the local chapter of Transparency International is urging President Akufo-Addo to set up an independent committee of enquiry to probe the alleged financial malfeasance the Electoral Commission (EC).

According to GII, as an anti graft body it believes the counter allegations by the Chairperson of EC Madam Charlotte Osei and her two deputies are serious issues, which should be thoroughly investigated.

It all started when some aggrieved staff of the Commission forwarded a petition to President Akufo-Addo to remove the Chairperson of the Commission for allegedly engaging in fraudulent transactions and stated misconduct.

The petition has since triggered response from Mrs Charlotte Osei, who described the petitioners of being “evil persons” also, accused them of making baseless allegations against her.

In a statement signed by the Executive Director of GII, Madam Linda Ofori-Kwafo, the anti-corruption organization is worried about the current issues within the electoral commission which is a very important state institution that contributes significantly to the peace, security and democracy the country – Ghana is enjoying.

Madam Ofori-Kwafo said, there need to be a thorough investigation into the issues in order to protect the integrity of the Commission.

“It appears the current impasse affects the very core of this non-negotiable quality and GII wishes to call on the government through the relevant state agencies, to take swift action to ensure that appropriate and thorough investigations are conducted into these matters. This is the only way to halt any further degeneration of the integrity of the Commission and restore public confidence in the organization.” – She said

Read the full statement:

The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the local chapter of Transparency International has observed with grave concern the allegations and counter allegations made amongst the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Mrs. Charlotte Osei and her two deputies; Alhaji Amadu Sulley, Deputy Chairperson (Operations) and Madam Georgina Opoku Amankwah, Deputy Chairperson (Corporate Services).

The Commission is responsible for the conduct of elections in Ghana, which is the most important tenet of our democratic dispensation. The most crucial quality required of the Commission in exercising its mandate is a very high level of integrity.

It appears the current impasse affects the very core of this non-negotiable quality and GII wishes to call on the government through the relevant state agencies, to take swift action to ensure that appropriate and thorough investigations are conducted into these matters. This is the only way to halt any further degeneration of the integrity of the Commission and restore public confidence in the organization.

Though several issues have come to the fore as a result of these allegations that require investigations, GII is specifically calling for thorough investigations into the matters bothering on abuse of office and corruption. Specific mention can be made of the following allegations:

i. The Involvement of the two Deputy Chairpersons of the Commission in procurement irregularities in May 2015 involving $22.3 and $16.4m for the purchase of BVDs

ii. The Deputy Chairperson signing contracts worth over GHS40m without requisite approval and authorization.

iii. The Deputy Chairperson collection of GHC6m (Six million Ghana cedis) from political parties for the conduct of party primaries without recourse to the structures of the Electoral Commission

iv. The illegal vote transfers on the Voter management System by the Deputy Chairperson in charge of Operations

Furthermore, GII calls on the office of the President to update Ghanaians on the status of the petition

received from the “concerned staff” of the Commission on the Chairperson, Mrs. Charlotte Osei. GII also wish to commend EOCO for commencing investigations into earlier allegations.

Finally, GII wants to appeal to politicians to desist from the politicization of these matters and allow due process to be followed in order not to undermine the importance of the Commission in Ghana’s democratic process.

Story By: Michael Creg Afful

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