Jean Mensa
The Electoral Commission (EC) has stated that its Chairperson, Jean Adukwei Mensa, upholds the institution of Parliament and will therefore not disrespect it in any way.
Denying allegations that the Chairperson disrespected the legislature by declining an invitation to the House, the EC stated that the Commission, particularly its Chairperson, understands the importance of the institution of Parliament, having worked with Parliament for two decades prior to her appointment as Chairperson of the EC.
“For the attention of the General Public, the EC received a letter from Parliament on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 inviting the Commission to brief the leadership of the House on the draft C.I. on the registration of voters on Thursday, February 23, 2024,” it said in a statement.
The Chairperson was in Nigeria at the invitation of ECOWAS/ECONEC for a peer exchange and election observation mission when Parliament requested her presence, according to the EC.
“That notwithstanding, Dr. Bossman Asare, Deputy Chair for Corporate Services, attended the meeting together with other Directors of the Commission,” the statement explained.
The EC noted that the meeting was unexpectedly cancelled because the Minority side insisted on the presence of the EC Chairperson.
“We wish to state that contrary to the news item that the EC Chair has returned to Ghana, the Chairperson is still in Nigeria. She has not returned to Ghana,” the statement noted.
It stressed, “The Commission, especially its Chairperson, understands the importance of the institution of Parliament having worked with Parliament for two decades prior to her appointment as Chairperson of the EC.”
“The fact remains that the invitation from Parliament was sent a day before the meeting, at a time when the Chairperson was out of the jurisdiction.
“Had she been aware of the request prior to her travel, she certainly would have prioritised the meeting and attended upon the Honourable House,” the statement concluded.
By Ernest Kofi Adu