Charlotte Osei
The US Government has presented the Woman of Courage Award to embattled Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei.
The US Embassy in Accra on Tuesday presented the award to Ms Osei, who is under investigation for alleged abuse of office and financial malfeasance at the EC.
Ms. Osei had been accused by her two deputies at the EC of abusing her office and misapplying the Commission’s funds.
The US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson, in a speech to present the award on Tuesday August 22, this year, described Ms. Osei as a woman who epitomizes courage.
Ms. Osei supervised the 2016 general elections, which was won by the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The EC boss pointed out that she was overwhelmed by the honour done her, noting that the success of the 2016 elections cannot be attributed to the effort of one person.
She said, “I take this opportunity to firmly place on the record that the success of the 2016 elections were not and could not be the results of one person’s efforts. Numerous people contributed in diverse ways to our successful elections and the national peace and stability we continue to enjoy.
“Let me begin by first acknowledging the truly invaluable guidance and support I received and continue to receive from my predecessor, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, the support of my colleague Commissioners (some of who are present here), Directors and staff of the EC, who from the first day I stepped into office at the Commission and even in our most trying times, continue to support me and help deliver on the constitutional mandate of the Commission. This award is for all of us,” she added.
According to her, “There were many days in the last two years when I felt very heavily, the burden of leadership. The weight of, as it seemed, carrying the entire peace and stability of the nation on my shoulders.”
“But through it all, I could always count on the love and support of my husband, my children and my friends. I lost a lot of acquaintances, but I gained a lot of true friends.”