By King Amoah.
As Ghana gears up to swear in the President elect John Dramani Mahama, a wave of unrest has surfaced in the Ashanti region, with a growing demand for the resignation of Jean Mensah, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).
This unrest follows the peaceful conduct of the December 7 elections, which resulted in the historic victory of President-elect John Dramani Mahama and a sweeping success for numerous National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidates.
Despite the initial sense of stability, Jean Mensah’s recent actions have ignited concerns and allegations of electoral malpractice. Reports indicate that she has attempted to alter the election results for certain parliamentary candidates in favor of those who were defeated.
Such moves have led to widespread condemnation and calls for her dismissal from various quarters, with many viewing her actions as a direct threat to the democratic process in Ghana.
Recent opinion polls conducted by our correspondent, King Amoah, across major cities and communities in the Ashanti region—such as Kumasi, Tepa, Offinso, Akomadan, New Edubiase, Kumamawu, and Ejuratia—reveal that a significant number of residents are not only dissatisfied but also angry.
They have directed their frustration towards outgoing President Akufo-Addo, urging him to take immediate action against Mensah, whom they accuse of committing a “constitutional blunder” and displaying a blatant misunderstanding of her responsibilities as the head of the electoral body.
One concerned citizen from Obuasi expressed, “How can EC officials, security personnel, and party representatives be present at polling stations, witnessing the elections, and then the Commission’s boss turns around to change the original results? This feels like a naked robbery that undermines the democratic principles of our country.”
The mood in the Ashanti region is palpably tense, with citizens voicing their apprehensions about the implications of Mensah’s actions on the peace and stability of the nation. There is a fear that if these controversial decisions are not reversed, it could lead to unrest, especially during the January 7 swearing-in ceremony for MPs.
Kofi Gyamfi from Ashanti Bekwai echoed this sentiment, stating, “The elections have been peaceful, and Ghana needs to maintain that peace to build its economy. Using foul means to favor one candidate over another will not benefit anyone. President Akufo-Addo must intervene to ensure that justice prevails.”
As the call for accountability grows louder, the question remains: will the leadership respond to the public outcry, or will the EC’s actions lead to deeper divisions within the political landscape of Ghana? The response from the government and the Electoral Commission in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the country can move forward without the shadow of political tension looming over it.
The situation serves as a reminder of the fragility of democratic processes and the importance of maintaining integrity within electoral bodies. As Ghana stands at a crossroads, the citizens of the Ashanti region hope for swift action to uphold their constitutional rights and preserve the peace that the country has enjoyed. The eyes of the nation are now firmly fixed on the leadership’s next steps in this unfolding drama.
