I knew the people I was dealing with, so I expected it – Charlotte Osei on her removal

• Aug 9, 2024

Former Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Charlotte Osei has revealed that she wasn’t surprised by the events leading to her removal from office in 2018.

"I knew the people I was dealing with, so I expected it. It was a whole drama from the petition till the end," she shared in an interview with Joy FM.

Mrs Osei stated that after reviewing the petition and the findings, it was evident that the process was orchestrated.

However, she admitted, "As for the why, I don’t know."

While she refrained from commenting on whether her removal was politically motivated, she assured that the full story will be detailed in her upcoming book.

In 2018, Charlotte Osei, along with her deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwaa, was removed from office following a committee's recommendations after investigating allegations of corruption and misconduct.

The petition against her, filed by concerned EC workers in 2017, accused her of unilateral decision-making and fraudulent activities, including the cancellation of a contract with Superlock Technologies Limited (STL) and authorizing a $76,000 payment to IT firm Dream Oval.

Tensions between Osei and her deputies became apparent, leading to a counter-petition for the removal of the two other commissioners.

After a year-long investigation, the committee's findings resulted in the trio's dismissal.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Mrs Osei criticised the process as "excessively petty and unnecessary".

She expressed her determination to tell her side of the story, especially for the benefit of her granddaughters.

"I have two granddaughters and because of them, I have decided to write the book even if it is just for them to read it. I think that as women, there is a lot they can learn from my life story," she said.

Mrs Osei, who is in her 30th year of law practice, stated that her removal from the EC does not define her career, stating that she has had the privilege of doing many different things throughout her life.