A group calling itself the Concern Electorates of Suhum has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) to disengage its Returning Officer for Suhum, Mr Godwin Amankwah, over alleged partisan conduct.
The group alleges that Mr Amankwah participated in the vetting of aspirants seeking to become polling station executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Suhum, a development it says raises questions about his neutrality as an electoral official.
In a petition dated August 20, 2026, and addressed to the Municipal Director of the EC in Suhum, the group alleged that Mr Amankwah represented the Suhum Member of Parliament, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, on the NPP vetting and elections committee.
The petitioners said the alleged participation took place on April 28, 2026, at the Suhum Newtown North Baptist Church.
“This is a clear case of the referee of a match working as the coach of one of the teams at the same time,” the group stated, arguing that such conduct could undermine confidence in the integrity of elections.
According to the petitioners, electoral officials are expected to maintain strict political neutrality because public trust is essential to the credibility and acceptance of election results.
They further cited Article 94(3)(b) of the 1992 Constitution, which they said prohibits Electoral Commission staff from engaging in partisan political activities.
Concerns over 2024 Suhum parliamentary election
The group also raised concerns about the conduct of the 2024 Suhum parliamentary election, alleging that results from six polling stations were flagged during collation over issues including over-voting and failure by presiding officers to sign statements of poll.
The polling stations listed in the petition are:
E110403 – Temp Booth Kusuntu 1
E110606 – Suhum Police Station
E111704 – Kofi Annor Oye Ko Ohe
E112501 – R/C Primary School, Kukua
E112301 – Methodist Primary School, Supresu 1
E112103 – Dawn of Life Preparatory School, Akorabo 1
The petitioners claim that the affected results were not collated and allege that the decision could have affected the final outcome of the parliamentary election.
They further accused Mr Amankwah of ignoring the alleged infractions and proceeding with the declaration of results “amidst intense chaos and violence.”
The 2024 Suhum parliamentary contest was won by NPP candidate Frank Asiedu Bekoe, who polled 16,855 votes, ahead of NDC candidate Prince Addo with 15,259 votes and independent candidate Kwadjo Asante with 14,860 votes.
Group demands reassignment
The Concern Electorates of Suhum said the alleged conduct has eroded public confidence in Mr Amankwah and could undermine the credibility of future elections he supervises.
“Mr. Godwin Amankwah has lost the moral authority, public trust and the confidence needed in a supervisor of public elections,” the petition stated.
The group is therefore asking the Electoral Commission not to assign, appoint, contract or consider Mr Amankwah for any official role connected to elections in Ghana, particularly within the Suhum Constituency.
The petitioners said they have attached photographic and video evidence which they claim shows Mr Amankwah participating in the NPP vetting exercise.
The group also referred to an earlier engagement with the Suhum Municipal EC Director on August 10, 2026, in the presence of Suhum District Police Commander, Supt. Samuel Opoku Korang, during which they claim assurances were given that Mr Amankwah would no longer be recruited as Returning Officer for the EC in Suhum.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
