John Mahama, a prospective presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for appointing political activists to the Ghanaian Electoral Commission (EC).
Rev. Akua Ofori Boateng, Salima Armed Tijani, and Dr. Peter Appiahene are the three new commissioners.
They take the place of Mrs. Rebecca Kabukie Adjalo, Mr. Ebenezer Aggrey-Fynn, and Mrs. Hajia Sa-Adatu Maida, who have all retired.
They now work alongside Mrs. Jean Mensa, Mr. Samuel Tettey, Dr. Bossman Eric Asare, Ms. Adwoa Asuama Abrefa, and Mrs. Jean Mensa as Chairperson, Deputy Chairman for Operations, Deputy Chairman for Corporate, and Commissioner, respectively.
According to Article 43 (1 and 2) of the 1992 Constitution, their appointment is in accordance with, “there shall be an Electoral Commission which shall consist of a chairman, two deputy chairmen, and four other members.”
The members of the commission shall be appointed by President under article 70 of this Constitution.”
Mahama, who joined the appointment, demanded that Article 128 be changed to place a limit on the number of Supreme Court Justices who may be appointed.
Mahama said during a presentation to the general public on March 22, 2023 at the UPSA auditorium in Accra, “the appointments of known party activists onto the Electoral Commission by our current President may require an amendment of Article 43(2), to provide for parliamentary approval of new Commissioners to the Commission. Let me assure you once again, I remain committed to these reforms.”
“Other areas include amendment of Article 243 to make for the election of District Chief Executives and Article 128 to put a cap on the number of Supreme Court Justices that may be appointed,” he stated.
