Jean Mensa
Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana
Assumed office
2018
PresidentNana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Preceded byCharlotte Osei
Personal details
NationalityGhanaian
RelationsJacob Amekor Blukoo-Allotey
(Father)
EducationSt. Mary's Senior High School
Alma materUniversity of Ghana
ProfessionLawyer

[1]Jean Adukwei Mensa is a Ghanaian lawyer by profession who has been serving as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana since July 2018.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] She was nominated by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo to take over the Ghana Electoral Commission Job from her predecessor, Madam Charlotte Osei.[11] Madam Jean Mensa was born on November 12, 1971. Prior to assuming the role of chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa spent an 18-year career at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), rising to the position of executive director.[2] As the Chief Returning Officer, Madam Jean Mensa declared the then presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the NPP as the validly president-elect of the December 7th, 2020 Presidential Election.[12]

Early life and education

Jean Adukwei Mensah was born November 12, 1971, in Accra to Ga-Adangbe and Fante parents.

Her father, Jacob Blukoo-Allotey, a physician who was awarded the Order of the Volta in 2008. Jean received her secondary education at St. Mary's Senior High School in Accra, after completion of her basic education at Ridge Church School. She studied at the University of Ghana Law school and received her degree in 1993. She was called to the Bar in 1995.[13][14][1]

Career

Jean Adukwei Mensa was appointed as the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana on 23 July 2018, after her predecessor was removed from office. For two decades, Mrs. Mensa has been a leader in policy research and advocacy. She has been involved in the development of policies, such as the Presidential Transition Act of 2012, the Revised 1992 Constitution of Ghana (draft), the Political Parties Funding Bill, and the Revised Political Parties Bill.[2][15] Her specialization has been developing and implementing policy alternatives, that reflect international best practice but are also tailored to Ghana's needs. This is her first ever significant public sector appointment.

Jean was sworn in by the President of Ghana, Akufo-Addo.[16][17] The swearing came in after a Ghanaian citizen by the name, Fafali Nyonatorto sought to halt the President from going through with the process of appointing a new Electoral Commission chair. The citizen challenged the removal of the former Electoral Commission to enable the court to hear her substantive case. The President claimed the removal of the former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Charlotte Osei, from her office was carried on with no malice. The president said it was expected of him to discharge the constitutional mandate.[18][19]

Mrs. Mensa's long record of promoting national unity and cohesion include facilitating the IEA's Evening Encounter Series, Ghana's Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates, as well as Town Hall Meetings for parliamentary candidates. These events not only bolstered accountability and transparency of the political process but also allowed an interface between Candidates and their constituents.

Prior to working at the IEA, Mrs Mensa also worked at Amarkai Amarteifio Chambers (1995-1997) and BJ Da Rocha Chambers as a Junior Lawyer (1998).

Mensa has been ranked by the African Network of Entrepreneurs (TANOE) as one of the Top 60 outstanding, inspiring and hardworking corporate women leaders in Ghana (2017). She has won several awards including the Excellent Leadership Award by the EXLA Group (2013) and the Young Professional Role Model in Governance Award presented by the Young Professionals and Youth Coalition Initiative (2014).

In July 2023, Mrs Jean Mensah was selected as a member of ECOWAS and AU Joint Pre-election Fact-finding Mission to Liberia ahead of the country's election on 10 October 2023.[20]

Controversy

Warning Against the Compilation of a New Voter Registry

The Electoral Commission (EC) chaired by Jean was cautioned by the former president of Ghana John Mahama not to compile a new voter's register. He claimed there is not much time left for the general election to compile a new voters' register. He said Jean Mensah and her outfit will be held responsible if the country turns into a turmoil after the 2020 general elections take place. Demonstrations took place across the country in three cities Tamale, Kumasi and Accra to sound their view against the compilation.[21] In September 2023, the Electoral commission headed by Jean Mensa begun the registration for new registrants, which also served a chance to all people who lost or attained 18 years of age to be able to register for new Voter ID cards to help them participate legally in coming elections.

Election Scandals

During the collation after the 2020 election, Jean Mensa is alleged to have sent the representatives of the NDC, in the National Collation Centre to convey a message to their flagbearer but however proceeded to announce the election results after they departed with her message.[22] The 2020 election declaration made by Jean Mensa was declared as flawed and a mathematical impossibility by several groups in Ghana and many also described it partisan and stealing in favour of the sitting president, with a group called the (Democratic Credentials Network Ghana) and many others were demanding her resignation.[23] In the aftermath of her declaration, the Electoral Commission issued an unsigned press release clarifying the disparities in the election declaration.[24] Former President John Dramani Mahama referred to Jean and her administration as the worst election management body in the history of the country, Ghana.

During the 2021 Election Petition Hearing at the Ghana Supreme Court, Jean Mensa through her lawyer refused to mount the witness box to be cross examined by the petitioners lawyers .[25][26][27][28][29]

Doubting Ability to Lead

According to Peter Otokunor, a former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jean Mensa together with the EC, was a threat to the nation's democracy. Speaking on TV XYZ, he recalled how, in response to a report, the National Security Minister called a meeting with the EC and the various political parties to resolve the dispute between the electoral administration bodies and some disgruntled political parties. He claimed Jean neglected suggestions made by various political parties in favour of the incumbent government, although he could not show empirical evidence to back his claims.[30]

[31]

References

  1. 1 2 "Jean Mensa, Biography". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  2. 1 2 3 "IEA boss Jean Mensah nominated EC Chair". Myjoyonline.
  3. ↑ Abedu-Kennedy, Dorcas (23 July 2018). "Breaking: Akufo-Addo names IEA's Jean Mensa as new EC Chair".
  4. ↑ Frimpong, Enoch Darfah. "Jean Mensa is unfit to occupy high position of EC chairperson - NDC". Graphic Online.
  5. ↑ "Security isn't EC's job; but lives should never be lost in an election – Jean Mensa". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  6. ↑ "EC not to blame for violence, deaths during 2020 polls - Jean Mensa - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  7. ↑ "Jean Mensa doesn't care about those who lost their lives in 2020 elections - Peter Otokunor - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  8. ↑ "Jean Mensa, Biography". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  9. ↑ Ndetei, Chris (2018-08-20). "Who is Jean Mensa". Yen- Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  10. ↑ Abedu-Kennedy, Dorcas (2018-07-23). "Breaking: Akufo-Addo names IEA's Jean Mensa as new EC Chair". Adomonline. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  11. ↑ "Jean Mensa is EC boss". GhanaWeb. 2018-08-02. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  12. ↑ Owusu-Mensah, Jeffrey (2020-12-09). "Breaking: EC finally declares Akufo-Addo as winner of 2020 elections". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  13. ↑ "All you need to know about the beautiful EC boss, Jean Mensa". theindependentghana.com. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  14. ↑ "Meet de woman who dey organize Ghana 2020 election". BBC News Pidgin. 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  15. ↑ "IEA boss, Jean Mensa nominated new EC Chair". Citi Newsroom. 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  16. ↑ "Nana Addo swears in Jean Mensa as new EC chair". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  17. ↑ "premiumtimesng". premiumtimesng. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  18. ↑ "Nana Addo swears in Jean Mensa as new EC chair". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana, Current Affairs, Business News , Headlines, Ghana Sports, Entertainment, Politics, Articles, Opinions, Viral Content. 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  19. ↑ Nyabor, Jonas (31 July 2018). "Injunction suit to stop appointment of new EC boss dismissed". Citinewsroom. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  20. ↑ Online, Peace FM. "Jean Mensa Joins ECOWAS' Liberian Mission". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  21. ↑ "Jean Mensa, EC will be blamed if election 2020 turns chaotic - Mahama". MyJoyOnline.com. 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  22. ↑ "Election Petition: Why Jean Mensa sent NDC reps away from the EC's 'strongroom' - Kpessa-Whyte explains". www.ghanaweb.com. 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  23. ↑ "Group demand resignation of EC chair over 'flawed' elections". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  24. ↑ "EC clarifies disparities in presidential election results percentages". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  25. ↑ "Our witnesses won't testify - EC, Akufo-Addo". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  26. ↑ Nartey, Laud (2021-02-11). "Jean Mensa can't be forced to mount witness box - Supreme Court". 3News. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  27. ↑ Awal, Mohammed (2021-02-11). "Election petition: Jean Mensah will not mount witness box- Supreme Court rules". Yen - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  28. ↑ "Supreme Court to rule today on whether EC Chairperson should mount witness box". 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  29. ↑ "As it happened: Supreme Court ruled on the cross-examination of Jean Mensa, Mac Manu today – MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  30. ↑ Tornyi, Emmanuel (2023-09-06). "Current state of EC under Jean Mensa is a threat to Ghana's democracy — Otokunor". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
  31. ↑ "Myjoyonline". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
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