Omanghana
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is facing internal turmoil after its Staff Union petitioned Chairperson Jean Mensa to immediately suspend the ongoing recruitment process for a new Director of Finance, citing alleged procedural violations, lack of transparency, and concerns over institutional governance.
The petition, signed by EC Staff Union Chairman Richard Agorkor on July 7, 2026, calls for a halt to the appointment process until what the union describes as proper corporate governance procedures are restored.
Union Accuses EC Leadership of Bypassing Commission Approval
According to the petition, the Staff Union alleges that the recruitment exercise was initiated without the involvement and approval of the full Electoral Commission.
The union claims that the position of Director of Finance, which has reportedly remained vacant for nearly eight years, was opened for recruitment through a process allegedly driven solely by the EC Chairperson rather than through collective decision-making by the Commission.
The staff body argues that major administrative and financial appointments require formal deliberation and approval from the full Commission to ensure accountability and institutional integrity.
Concerns Over Recruitment Requirements
The union has also raised questions over the criteria contained in the job advertisement published on June 10, 2026.
One of the key concerns is the inclusion of a maximum age requirement of 55 years, which the union describes as unusual for the position.
The petition alleges that the requirement may have been designed to benefit a specific candidate, identified as Henry George Ashong, who is reportedly linked to the EC Chairperson.
The union has called for greater transparency in the process and an independent review of the recruitment criteria.
Allegations of Excessive Concentration of Authority
Beyond the recruitment dispute, the Staff Union expressed broader concerns about the management structure within the Electoral Commission.
The petition alleges that administrative authority has become overly centralized, with insufficient participation from the full Commission in key decisions.
It further claims that the Commission has not held a formal governance meeting for nearly three years, raising concerns about whether important policy, administrative, and financial decisions are receiving adequate oversight.
External Pressure Mounts on EC Leadership
The internal dispute comes amid separate calls from civil society groups seeking changes in the leadership of the Electoral Commission.
The Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement-Africa (PTAAM-Africa) has reportedly submitted a petition to President John Dramani Mahama under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, requesting the removal of the EC Chairperson and her deputies.
The group cited several allegations, including claims related to financial losses involving the 2020 biometric voter registration procurement, institutional challenges arising from electoral disputes, and alleged misconduct.
Union Warns Against Invalid Appointment Process
The EC Staff Union maintains that the Director of Finance plays a critical role in managing the Commission’s financial resources and therefore the appointment process must strictly follow established governance procedures.
The union argues that any appointment made without approval from a properly constituted meeting of the full Commission could undermine the legitimacy of the process.
It is demanding an immediate freeze on the recruitment exercise until the concerns raised are addressed and proper oversight mechanisms are restored.
EC Yet to Respond Officially
As of the time of the petition, the Electoral Commission leadership had not publicly issued a detailed response to the allegations.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the institution responsible for managing Ghana’s elections, with stakeholders emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the electoral process.
Source: Omanghana
