Former Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, has mounted a strong defense of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, describing her as one of the most emotionally distressed individuals in Ghana due to persistent political attacks.
Speaking in a panel discussion on Asempa FM on Friday, July 11, 2025, Dr. Okoe Boye said Jean Mensa has been unfairly vilified by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) since her appointment to replace Charlotte Osei. He alleged that the NDC has consistently targeted her with criticism and hostility, regardless of her performance.
“Jean Mensa, if people try to blame her, I won’t. One of the most emotionally distressed people in this country is Jean Mensa,” Dr. Okoe Boye stated. “Ever since Charlotte Osei was removed, the NDC has targeted Jean Mensa right from their days in opposition through to government. Everything she does does not please the NDC.”
He pointed to the 2020 elections as evidence of her impartiality and competence, highlighting that under her leadership, former President John Mahama and the NDC made significant electoral gains.
“Is it not surprising that a woman who conducted an election in which John Mahama secured one of the biggest electoral victories in the Fourth Republic, and the NDC won the highest number of parliamentary seats, is still being attacked?” he questioned.
Dr. Okoe Boye lamented the physical assaults on EC officials during the collation of election results and condemned accusations of incompetence directed at Jean Mensa, especially in moments of delayed result announcements.
“While her presiding officers are being physically assaulted and their properties destroyed, you turn around to accuse her of incompetence because she hasn’t been able to quickly announce results? Can you imagine?” he said, adding that such criticisms stem from “envy and hatred.”
He further accused the NDC of running a 2024 campaign marked by “spite and hatred” and warned against allowing political emotions to cloud objective assessments of public officials.
“What wrong has this woman done?” he asked rhetorically. “She has conducted elections and declared John Mahama as winner with overwhelming parliamentary support, what else should she do?”
Dr. Okoe Boye’s comments come amid renewed scrutiny of the Electoral Commission following violent incidents and disputes during the 2024 general elections.
🚨🚨BREAKING….
Let’s not deceive ourselves, what happened in Ablekuma North wasn’t just politics; it was a warning.Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye said it best:
“Some are willing to kill for power, Akua Afriyie may have been spared only because she’s a woman. But power is transient.”… pic.twitter.com/OMOI3IJm46
— Qwofi Manuel 🇬🇭 (@qwofi_manuel) July 12, 2025
KA
