How CHRAJ detected EC boss failed to declare assets
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has said that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission did not disclose her assets when she took office.
This was after a probe following a petition by civil society organisation, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA).
In its report, cited by theghanareport.com, CHRAJ said: “…as at the date the complaint was received by the Commission, the Respondent (Mrs Mensa) had not submitted her Assets Declaration Forms to the Auditor-General as required by law”.
Article 286 of Ghana’s Constitution requires certain public office holders to declare their assets and liabilities after taking office and after their tenure.
Mrs Mensa took office on August 1, 2018, and ASEPA filed the petition on December 12, 2019, about 16 months after the EC boss was sworn into office.
In its report, CHRAJ said that “the Respondent (Mrs Mensa) declared her assets and liabilities to the Auditor-General on February 14, 2020, in the course of this investigation, the Respondent has now complied with Article 286 of the Constitution.”
But ASEPA has said that the report shows “a clear exhibition of misconduct and a violation of the laws of Ghana by a public officer.”
Hence “tomorrow the provisions of Article 146 would be invoked by filing a petition for the removal from office of Jean Mensa for breaching the asset declaration laws of Ghana”.
The Executive Director of ASEPA, Mensah Thompson, said he believed, “Jean Mensa is not fit to lead the Electoral Commission of Ghana into a major election when she is compromised and has demonstrated a clear disregard for the Constitution that empowers her.”
“We are therefore calling for her immediate resignation to save herself from the ordeal of procedural removal,” he concluded.
Removal of Jean Mensa’s predecessor
Mrs Mensa was appointed and sworn into office after the Charlotte Osei had been removed from office as EC Chair.
She was shown the exit on June 28, 2018, following a committee set up by the then Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo, to investigate complaints and corruption allegations levelled against Mrs Osei.
The committee was set up based on the provision stipulated under Article 146(4) of the Ghanaian constitution, the recommendations of the committee required Osei to be removed due to misbehaviour pursuant to Article 146(1) of the constitution.
President Nana Akufo-Addo, in accordance with the recommendations and provisions of Article 156 (9) of the Constitution, directed her immediate removal from office.
The immediate past Chair of the Electoral Commission breached procurement laws in awarding several contracts, before 2016 Ghana elections, the report by the committee that investigated her indicated.