Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, a former health minister, has defended Jean Mensa, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), strongly, calling her one of the most emotionally distraught people in Ghana as a result of ongoing political attacks.
Dr. Okoe Boye stated during a panel discussion on Asempa FM on Friday, July 11, 2025, that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unfairly demonized Jean Mensa ever since she was appointed to succeed Charlotte Osei.
He claimed that regardless of her performance, the NDC has continuously singled her out for animosity and contempt.
“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 not please the NDC.”
He cited the 2020 elections as proof of her objectivity and ability, emphasizing that the NDC and former President John Mahama achieved notable electoral victories under her direction.
“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 bemoaned the physical attacks on EC staff while they were compiling the election results and denounced the charges of ineptitude made against Jean Mensa, particularly during the postponed results releases.
“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.”
Additionally, he charged that the NDC was waging a 2024 campaign characterized by “spite and hatred” and cautioned against letting political feelings influence impartial evaluations of public servants.
“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?”
The remarks made by Dr. Okoe Boye coincide with heightened scrutiny of the Electoral Commission in the wake of violent clashes and occurrences during the general elections in 2024.
