The President may Intimidate EC Officials – Care Ghana
The Executive Director of Care for Free and Fair Elections Ghana, David Kumi Addo, has raised questions regarding President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s recent request for directors of the Electoral Commission (EC) to submit their curriculum vitae (CVs).
In an interview with Agudey on Nkwantannanso, Mr. Addo expressed concerns about the President’s intentions and the potential for intimidation of EC officials.
“Does the President want to intimidate the EC officials? Is there an ulterior motive? What is the reason?”
He emphasized that the President does not have the authority to request CVs from EC officials unless he appointed them himself.
The Executive Director clarified that the EC is responsible for employing its directors, and the President can only request CVs of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and a few others whom he appointed.
He stressed that this action could undermine the independence of the EC, citing Article 46 of the 1992 constitution, which states that the EC should not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.
Responding to speculation that the President’s action may be related to the IMF deal aimed at salary reviews to reduce expenditure, Mr. Addo argued, “He cannot claim that IMF wants him to review salaries because they don’t receive more than GHC5000. He should target the Chief Executive Officers of institutions such as Cocobod, Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, and GCB Bank Limited.”
Mr. Addo emphasized the crucial role of the EC in Ghana’s democracy, stating, “Remember New Patriotic Party (NPP) intends on breaking the eight. The President must tell Ghanaians what he needs the CVs for. EC is the vanguard of Ghana’s democracy.”
He reaffirmed the provisions of the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451) which grants the EC the power to employ in conjunction with the Public Service Commission, hence the President has no power to demand for CVs.
The Office of the President has requested directors of the Electoral Commission, along with senior management of state agencies, to submit their CVs.
A circular from the EC’s Director of Human Resources to the head office and regional directors indicated that the instruction was not to the EC alone but senior management of state agencies from director and above.
