Michael Okyere Baafi, Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, has stated that the government would have faced serious consequences if it had succeeded in removing the leadership of the Electoral Commission of Ghana and the Special Prosecutor.

His comments follow a ruling by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who determined that there was no prima facie case to proceed with petitions seeking the removal of the EC Chair, Jean Mensa, and her deputies, Dr. Bossman Eric Asare and Samuel Tettey.

The decision was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday, February 18, by the Minister of Government Communications.

Reacting to the ruling on the Oyerepa Breakfast Show, Mr. Baafi stressed that any attempt to remove the EC leadership would have damaged the government’s image both locally and internationally.

“Any attempt to remove the EC boss and her deputies would have posed serious challenges for President Mahama and his government in the global arena,” he said, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the independence of key state institutions.

According to the lawmaker, the Chief Justice’s decision reinforces due process and protects the integrity of Ghana’s democratic framework.

He added that such high-level removals, if not grounded in solid legal basis, could undermine investor confidence and affect Ghana’s standing in the international community.

The ruling effectively halts the petition process, maintaining the current leadership of the Electoral Commission and preserving the constitutional safeguards surrounding independent officeholders.

Background on the Petition

The petition, submitted by President Mahama, sought the removal of the EC leadership and the Special Prosecutor, citing alleged administrative irregularities and concerns over their performance. The move would have required the Chief Justice, as part of the constitutional process, to examine whether sufficient evidence existed to warrant further action.

Under Ghanaian law, petitions targeting independent officeholders like the EC Chair or the Special Prosecutor must meet a high threshold, including establishing a prima facie case of misconduct or inability to perform duties. The Chief Justice’s ruling confirmed that the petition did not satisfy this requirement, reinforcing the autonomy of these key institutions.

Observers have described the ruling as a reaffirmation of the independence of constitutional bodies in Ghana, ensuring that attempts to remove officeholders are grounded in due process and credible evidence.