Prime News Ghana

I am on the side of Charlotte Osei-Kweku Baako Jnr

By Anny Osabutey
Kwaku Baako Jnr
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Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper Abdul Malik Kweku Baako says his decision to side with the embattled chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, has nothing to do with their family ties, but “information” available to him.

Mrs. Osei and two of her deputies have dominated public conversations for almost two weeks after a petition from some “unidentified” persons called for her impeachment over procurement related issues, and allegations she attempted undermining the chances of the then opposition New Patriotic Party.

She has dismissed the claims and responded appropriately, including revelations that one of her subordinates, Amadu Sulley, Deputy Chairperson of Operations, not only failed to disclose an amount of Six Million Ghana Cedis he collected from political parties for organizing primaries without “recourse” to the commission, but created over 100 additional polling stations for the district level elections of September 1, 2015.

Speaking on Peace Fm’s breakfast show program, Kokrookoo, on Wednesday, Mr. Baako, who earlier on disclosed her relationship with the EC chairperson, dismissed allegations he is biased towards the woman and cannot be objective on the matter.

He said there is more to his position than “blood” because his position is influenced by documents and other materials available to him.

“I am on the side of Charlotte,” he reiterated. “I am not the final arbiter so let know one say I am pretending. I am on her side on the basis of information available to me.”

He also dismissed claims of being a “coward” and added his voice to calls for the matter to be thoroughly investigated.

“This matter must be thoroughly investigated according to law because am not even the final arbiter in this situation.”

Meanwhile, NDC’s Director of Elections Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who was also on the show, said calls for the commissioners to resign are premature.  He said investigations should rather be conducted into the allegations that have so far been thrown into the open, so recommendations can be implemented to guide the future workings of the commission.