EC staffer demands review of misconduct claims against Jean Mensa, two deputies

An interdicted staff member of the Electoral Commission says his petition to President John Dramani Mahama stems from concerns about the leadership of Chairperson Jean Mensa, and her two deputies rather than personal grievances linked to his suspension.

Joseph Blankson Adumadzie confirmed that he has been away from work for months after the Commission interdicted him over allegations involving old Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs). He said the accusations suggesting he was connected to BVDs reportedly found at a refuse dump were baseless.

“For a while now, I don’t go to work. I have not resigned, I have not been sacked. I am on an interdiction,” he said on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News.

He stressed that the claims made against him were inaccurate. “They were saying things that were not true about me… the old machines are not with me and it is not even true.”

Mr Adumadzie disclosed that the Commission took him to court but failed to prove its allegations. “They sued me and couldn’t prove anything. And for one year I won the case, and I have sued them,” he added.

He insisted that his petition, filed under Article 146 of the Constitution, was driven by broader concerns about how the Commission is being run.

He said the issues within the institution required attention at the highest level to protect the credibility of Ghana’s electoral processes.

In the petition, Mr Adumadzie lists 12 grounds of alleged misconduct against Chairperson Jean Mensa and her two deputies, citing cronyism, abuse of office, and gross incompetence.

He argues that these actions have weakened public trust and pose risks to the integrity of the Commission’s work.

He has therefore appealed to President Mahama to refer the matter to the Chief Justice to determine whether a prima facie case exists, in line with constitutional procedures for assessing allegations against senior public officials.