Civil Society Group, Election Watch Ghana has expressed disappointment in the non-establishment of a prima facie case, in a petition seeking the removal of the leadership of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC).
In a statement reacting to the Chief Justice’s communication the President, the Group said the outcome does not absolve the EC and its deputies of what it described as “incompetence and bias”.
According to Election Watch Ghana, the Chief Justice’s announcement suggests that government may be placing institutional stability above electoral integrity, a move it argues could strengthen public confidence in the Judiciary while leaving unresolved concerns about the EC’s performance.
“Election Watch Ghana is disappointed in Chief Justice’s decision not to find prima facie in the petition against the Electoral Commission (EC) and its deputies. This outcome doesn’t exonerate the EC’s incompetence or bias.
“The lack of action suggests the government is prioritizing institutional stability over electoral integrity, potentially bolstering public trust in the Judiciary at the expense of the EC’s glaring shortcomings.
“The EC’s flaws are public and the petition raised genuine concerns about the electoral process,” Election Watch Ghana stated, insisting that the dismissal of the petition does not absolve the EC of the claims in the petition.
The Group further maintained that the current leadership of the EC is biased, lacks transparency and accountability, and is therefore unfit to hold office. It also expressed regret that the petitioners were unable to present what it described as a stronger case.
Despite the setback, Election Watch Ghana reiterated its call for comprehensive electoral reforms and renewed demands for a more transparent and accountable Electoral Commission.
“We reiterate our call for electoral reforms and a more transparent, accountable EC. The fight for fair election continues,” the statement concluded.
The Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has informed President John Dramani Mahama that there is no constitutional basis to remove the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), her deputies and the Special Prosecutor, effectively dismissing multiple petitions filed against them.
In a letter dated January 26, 2026, the Chief Justice concluded that the petitions did not establish a prima facie case to warrant further investigations or the setting up of a committee of inquiry under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 15 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
The decision followed the receipt of ten separate petitions at Jubilee House in late 2025. Seven of the petitions sought the removal of EC Chair Jean Mensa and her deputies, Dr Bossman Eric Asare and Samuel Tettey, while three targeted Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng.
As required by law, the President referred the petitions to the Chief Justice for preliminary constitutional scrutiny to determine whether a prima facie case had been established.
Petitioners had alleged misconduct, cronyism, abuse of office and gross incompetence, claiming that these actions had eroded public confidence in the institutions concerned. One of the petitions against the EC leadership was reportedly filed by Joseph Blankson Adumadzie, an EC staff member, though specific details remain confidential under constitutional provisions.
Following the Chief Justice’s determination that no prima facie case exists, the constitutional removal process cannot proceed further.
The outcome was communicated in a statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Spokesperson to the President.
