In less than four weeks, Ghanaians will be going to the polls to elect a new President and new members of Parliament to govern and manage the affairs of the state and the Electoral commission of Ghana has been mandated by the constitution of Ghana to organize such elections.
Obviously, the electoral commission needs the support and motivation of the people of Ghana at this crucial moment to enable it deliver its mandate fairly and transparently.
We need to refrain from insulting and denigrating officials of the commission with unsubstantiated allegations and demeaning comments that could affect their reputation. The fact is, should we like it or not, the electoral commission is the only mandated institution created by the constitution to organize elections in Ghana and we only need to support the chairperson and her team of competent officials to organize the elections.
It has been observed that some political actors have developed mechanisms to insult the Chairperson of the electoral Commission. They often fire insults at the electoral commissioner with the aims of destroying her reputation for reasons best known to them. Although well-meaning Ghanaians have spoken against these shameful practices, these political actors continue to spew garbage on the electoral commissioner. This is so wrong and must stop. We need to stop this trend now since it’s a dent on the democracy which we pride ourselves in as the most peaceful country in the sub region.
The Electoral Commission was set up under Article 43(1) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and established by an Act of Parliament, Act 451 of 1993. The Vision of EC is to become a Benchmark in Africa for enabling Independent, Trusted, and World Class Democratic Elections for citizens and candidates alike.
It has a mission to Enable and facilitate free and fair elections in Ghana and regulate the activities of all political parties In order to build an organization that continues to successfully achieve its vision and objectives. To guide the conduct of its activities, the EC has adopted the following core values, that’s Integrity, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Excellence.
The functions of the Commission are outlined in the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451), as amended by Electoral Commission (Amendment) Act, 2003 Section 2 are: 1. To compile the register of voters and revise it at such periods as may be determined by law; To demarcate the electoral boundaries for both national and local government elections; To conduct and supervise all public elections and referenda, To educate the people of the electoral process and its purpose; To undertake programmes for the expansion of the registration of voters; and To perform such other functions as may be prescribed by law.
The EC chairperson has been described as the most competent female EC chair in the history of Ghana’s politics. As the head of the Electoral Commission, Mensa has taken significant steps to enhance the transparency and credibility of Ghana’s elections. She has introduced innovative measures such as the use of biometric technology to verify voters’ identities and the implementation of a comprehensive voter education program. These initiatives have helped to minimize electoral fraud and ensure that every Ghanaian citizen has the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights.
Mensa’s leadership and commitment to fair elections have earned her recognition both locally and internationally. She has been invited to speak at various international conferences and has received numerous awards for her contributions to democracy and good governance.
Jean Mensa’s journey from a private legal practitioner to the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana is a testament to her dedication, integrity, and vision. Her tireless efforts to promote good governance and ensure free and fair elections have made a lasting impact on Ghana’s democracy.