Director of European Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr. Ransford Gyampo, has described as embarrassing the war of words between Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Charlotte Osei and her subordinates, including accusations of voter fraud.
The working relationship of the apex of the commission has become a subject of concern after Mrs. Osei, in a response to a petition filed by some unidentified persons suspected to be senior officials from her outfit, not only described as “baseless†accusations leveled against her but intend accused Mr. Sulley of pocketing Six Million Ghana Cedis paid to him by political parties for internal party operations. He is alleged to have paid the money into his personal account.
Mr. Sulley, who has signaled he will seek redress at the court to clear his name over the allegation, is also accused of treating “political party primaries†as “private commercial project.â€
“It was confirmed that the Deputy Chairperson Operations had unilaterally and without the knowledge of the Chairperson or the commission created over 1000 additional polling stations for the district level elections of September 1,2015â€
Dr. Gyampo, who is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said what makes the disagreement annoying is that, the warring parties are not disagreeing on election related matters, but “they are disagreeing over issues that are personal; who gave contracts, who got V8 vehicles, who awarded contracts etc.â€
He said these are not professional disagreements so working together will be difficult, especially when aspects of the allegations border on criminality.
Concerns over the frosty relationship between the chairperson and her subordinates has equally been played up in the disagreement, where claims have been made she does not respect other officers she came to meet at the commission.
Dr. Gyampo, who was speaking on Asempa Fm’s late afternoon show Ekosii Sen, said the whole impasse would have been avoided if the “personal relationship†between the chairperson and her subordinates were any better.
He said the commission at it stands now is not only “dysfunctional†but “incompetent†and unable to run any serious and credible elections in the country. He suggested the situation be thoroughly investigated for the issues raised resolved.
Dr. Gyampo also advised appointing authorities to always factor the interpersonal relationship of anyone they intend putting at a position because any infraction on his part could harm the operations of that organization.
In a related development, Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said the tension among the leadership has been known to him months prior to the elections, but nothing was done to heal the rift among them and the elections were held. He said the nation is reaping, sadly, the fruits of the misunderstanding.