A former Ghana Ambassador to the Netherlands and a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Tony Aidoo has criticized Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa for her leadership approach, describing it as overly combative.

In an interview on AM Exclusive on Joy News on Monday, December 2, he expressed concerns about the impact her style has had on public trust and the Commission’s credibility.

“The EC is supposed to be independent and neutral. Now, nobody trusts the EC. Where is the independence of the EC? Even the EC has officers who everybody knows come from the NPP side,” Dr Aidoo said.

He argued that the role of the EC requires openness and cooperation to build trust rather than relying on power in a confrontational way.

“Jean’s approach to the management of the EC has been too combative. If you have power, you don’t have to use it to show you are powerful. The more power you exercise, the less power you have in reverse,” he explained. “What is important is that you are trusted. Your neutrality and independence will be enhanced if you are open rather than combative.”

Dr Aidoo contrasted Jean Mensa’s leadership with that of her predecessor, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, who he said managed to gain respect despite accusations of political affiliation. “Afari-Gyan never had a problem with our political parties, even though they used to say he was a Rawlings man. He wasn’t. If you want a man of integrity, then he is Afari-Gyan.”

He also criticized recent issues at the Commission, including the reprinting of ballot papers for the Eastern and Western regions due to a mishap, describing the EC’s performance as lacking. “The EC has not operated in a way we can say ‘well done,’” he remarked. Dr Aidoo further alleged political bias in the EC’s staffing, stating, “Most of the deputy commissioners are NPP activists.”

“You want people to trust you, so what you need to do is be cooperative. You don’t structure yourself as if nobody can touch you. You are subservient to the constitution, but there are other entities who also have interests,” Dr Tony Aidoo concluded.