The Electoral Commission (EC), staff member Joseph Blankson Adumadzie, who petitioned President John Dramani Mahama for the removal of the EC Chairperson Jean Mensa and her two deputies interdicted.
According to the EC staff member, he has not resigned nor has he been sacked, but has been on interdiction for some time now over issues related to Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs).
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Monday, November 24, he stated, “For a while now, I don’t go to work. I have not resigned, I have not been sacked. I am on an interdiction. It’s a whole lot”.
“It was about these BVDs. They were saying things that were not true about me, but I don’t want to go there. Yes, the old machines, but they are not with me, and it is not even true. That is the whole thing,” he said.
“They sued me and couldn’t prove anything. And for one year I won the case, and I have sued them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Joseph Blankson Adumadzie petitioned President John Dramani Mahama for the removal of EC Chairperson Jean Mensa and her two deputies, Dr Bossman Eric Asare and Samuel Tettey.
The EC staff member in his petition cited alleged misconduct that he claims threatens the credibility of Ghana’s electoral system.
According to Joseph Blankson Adumadzie, his petition was submitted in line with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
He, however, refuses to provide details in the petition, adding that it is anchored on 12 counts of stated misbehaviour.
The allegations include “cronyism, abuse of office, and gross incompetence”.
The petitioner added that the conduct of the three senior officials has eroded public confidence in the EC and poses a risk to the integrity and independence of Ghana’s electoral process.
He also argued that his actions are driven solely by the need to safeguard the Constitution and strengthen accountable governance.
Reports suggest this is not the first petition received by President Mahama for the removal of Jean Mensa and deputies.
It will be recalled that some months ago, a civil society organisation calling itself Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement Africa (PTAAM Africa) was putting pressure on President John Dramani Mahama to take action on a petition seeking the removal of Jean Mensa and deputies.
According to the civil society organisation, they have petitioned John Mahama to remove Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa and her deputies, Eric Bossman Asare and Samuel Tettey.
They revealed the petition was submitted on January 8, 2025, a day after President John Mahama assumed office.
PTAAM Africa is accusing the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission of causing financial loss to the state, creating a constitutional crisis, and engaging in mismanagement and abuse of funds.
PTAAM Africa’s Vice President, Rashid Isah, has expressed frustration over the lack of response from the Presidency despite sending follow-up reminders in April.
Speaking on Joy FM on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Rashid Isah stated, “As a matter of fact, we’ve not had any clear communication on what action the President intends to take on our petition. We have sent reminders, and we are prepared to follow up if nothing is done”.
“While we recognise that the new administration may need time to settle, our patience is wearing thin. We are keeping our fingers crossed, but we have also taken note of certain actions by this government that appear to be geared towards the same goal. As a team, we will soon decide on our next line of action,” Isah noted.
Rashid Isah cited the EC’s decision to compile a new voters’ register for the 2020 elections, which cost over US$80 million, as an example of mismanagement and also referenced incidents of electoral violence and the disenfranchisement of an entire constituency in 2020 as evidence of a constitutional crisis.