Presidential Staffer and former CPP General Secretary, Nana Yaa Jantuah, has strongly criticised the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Adukwei Mensa, accusing her of misconduct and deliberately sidelining political parties during her tenure.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Nana Yaa Jantuah said Ghanaians had high expectations when Madam Jean Mensa, a former Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), was appointed in 2018, but her leadership has severely damaged trust in the electoral process.
“Let’s be very truthful, Jean changed,” she stated. “When I heard Jean Mensa was taking over, I was okay because of her IEA background. We saw her as strict, astute and credible, but it turned out to be something else.”
A regular participant in Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings, Jantuah claimed the EC Chair routinely ignored legitimate concerns raised by political parties and showed disregard even when matters were taken to court.
“If you talk about misbehaviour, she misbehaved; Jean did not do well,” she declared. “Issues that we as political parties are not happy about – we take them to court, and Jean doesn’t even care. We want to have a discussion with her on election matters; she doesn’t care.”
She contrasted Jean Mensa’s tenure with that of predecessors Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan and Charlotte Osei, noting the unusual heavy military presence around the EC Chair and her visibly nervous demeanour in public.
“I used to make excuses for her,” Jantuah admitted. “I thought somebody was pushing her around. She was always jittery, as if shaking – something I never saw with Afari-Gyan or Charlotte.”
The former CPP General Secretary also highlighted delays in declaring the 2024 presidential election results, pointing out that political parties announced their figures long before the EC did.
“In 2024, political parties had already announced their results, yet hers wasn’t out,” she said. “I commend Dr Mahamudu Bawumia – he came out quickly. Meanwhile, Jean took almost five days.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah insisted her criticism was not personal and that dissatisfaction with Mrs Mensa transcended party lines.
“Even the NPP in IPAC were not happy with her at times,” she revealed. “Jean has misbehaved, whether we like it or not. She has done certain things.”
Her remarks come at a time when several petitions have been lodged with President John Dramani Mahama seeking the removal of Jean Mensa and her two deputies for stated misbehaviour and incompetence.
The petitions that have been forwarded to the Chief Justice for constitutional consideration.