Dismissed Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei may be headed to Ghana’s highest court as fresh reports confirm The Daily Gist’s publication about her nomination to the Supreme Court by President John Dramani Mahama.
The news, yet to be officially released, has sparked renewed national debate, with observers citing her controversial past and speculating about the broader political motives behind the move.
The speculation gained traction when Charlotte Osei, known for her commanding public persona, updated her Facebook profile photo, and posed in a lawyer’s suit with a wig —an act interpreted by many as a subtle signal ahead of a major public announcement.
While on the surface, this might appear coincidental, insiders view it as a prelude to her anticipated re-entry into public office, this time as one of John Mahama’s five proposed appointees to the Supreme Court bench.
Charlotte Osei’s public service trajectory has been both historic and turbulent.
In 2015, she broke new ground as Ghana’s first female Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, having previously served as Chair of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).
Prior to her EC appointment, she was also a board member of the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), with a background in corporate law and public service.
Her nomination to the EC reportedly followed an earlier attempt by President Mahama to appoint her directly to the Supreme Court, which was allegedly rejected by the Judicial Council.
Undeterred, John Mahama is said to have placed her at the helm of the Electoral Commission, a role that eventually drew public and political scrutiny.
Charlotte Osei’s tenure at the EC was marked by a centralised leadership style that drew both praise and criticism putting her at loggerheads with her two deputies.
While she was commended for overseeing the 2016 elections, her methods—described by critics as autocratic—led to a deep rift with her deputies, Sulley Amadu and Georgina Opoku-Amankwa.
These tensions culminated in a formal petition to the presidency, prompting the establishment of a constitutional committee to investigate procurement irregularities under her leadership.
The committee, chaired by then-Supreme Court Justice Anthony Alfred Benin and comprising other justices, including Samuel Marful-Sau and Agnes Dordzie, found her guilty of procurement breaches and recommended her dismissal.
Former President Akufo-Addo executed the removal in June 2018 under Article 146 of the Constitution.
Her two deputies were also dismissed.
Resurgence
Despite her ousting, Charlotte Osei has remained a visible figure in Ghana’s legal and civic landscape.
She was recently appointed to serve on the Constitutional Review Committee under John Mahama’s new policy team, sparking talk of political rehabilitation and a renewed push to restore her public profile.
Her possible elevation to the Supreme Court now symbolizes more than a professional comeback—it hints at Mahama’s determination to reshape key state institutions ahead of a potential return to power.
The Daily Gist sources indicate that Osei’s nomination is part of a broader list that includes Court of Appeal Justice Senyo Dzamefe, legal scholar Dr. Abdul Basit Aziz Bamba, and two other unnamed individuals.
Critics argue that the nomination of Osei, who has not actively practised law for over 15 years, raises questions about the selection criteria and the motivations behind the appointments.
Political opponents see it as an attempt to “stack the court” with loyalists who could potentially be sympathetic to controversial legal interpretations—including debates around term limits and constitutional reforms ahead of the 2028 elections.
A Divisive Legacy
Charlotte Osei remains a polarizing figure. Supporters laud her as a strong-willed reformist who faced institutional pushback for challenging the status quo, while detractors view her leadership at the EC as marred by arrogance and procedural irregularities.
Her critics remain especially vocal about her past, warning that her alleged past breaches disqualify her from such a sensitive judicial post.
Nonetheless, if confirmed, her appointment would mark a remarkable political and professional resurrection—cementing her legacy as one of the most enduring, if not controversial, public figures in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
For now, her updated social media presence may be silent, but the political noise surrounding her is growing louder.
However, all eyes are now on the formal announcement—one that could once again place Charlotte Osei at the heart of Ghana’s democratic and legal machinery.
