A group calling itself the Concern Electorates of Suhum has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) to remove its Returning Officer for Suhum, Mr Godwin Amankwah, alleging that he compromised his political neutrality by participating in the vetting of New Patriotic Party (NPP) polling station executive aspirants.
According to the petitioners, Mr Amankwah’s alleged participation in the NPP exercise has “raised serious concerns about his political neutrality” and reinforced what they described as longstanding suspicions about his relationship with the governing party.
In a petition dated August 20, 2026, and addressed to the Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission in Suhum, the group claimed that Mr Amankwah represented the Suhum Member of Parliament, Hon. Frank Asiedu Bekoe, on the vetting and elections committee during the NPP’s polling station executive vetting exercise on April 28, 2026.
“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.
The Concern Electorates of Suhum argued that electoral officials must demonstrate neutrality and credibility to win the confidence of voters and political parties.
2024 election concerns
The group also cited events surrounding the 2024 Suhum Parliamentary Election as another reason for its call for Mr Amankwah’s removal from election-related duties.
It alleged that results from six polling stations were flagged during the collation because of issues including alleged over-voting and failure by presiding officers to sign statements of poll.
The affected polling stations listed in the petition are Temp Booth Kusuntu 1, Suhum Police Station, Kofi Annor Oye Ko Ohe, R/C Primary School Kukua, Meth Primary School Supresu 1 and Dawn of Life Preparatory School Akorabo 1.
The petitioners claimed that the results from the six polling stations, if included in the final collation, could have affected the outcome of the parliamentary election.
They further alleged that Mr Amankwah proceeded to declare the results amid “intense chaos and violence,” arguing that the controversy contributed to a breakdown of confidence in the electoral process.
The 2024 Suhum parliamentary election 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.Dispute over the results was adjudicated by the Koforidua High court which however affirmed that the petitioner failed to provide evidence beyond reasonable doubt to substantiate allegation of rigging and fraud.
Group demands removal
The Concern Electorates of Suhum says it wants to prevent a recurrence of the tensions that characterised the 2024 election and ensure that future elections in the constituency are conducted peacefully and transparently.
“Mr. Godwin Amankwah has lost the moral authority, public trust and the confidence needed in a supervisor of public elections,” the group said.
It is therefore demanding that Mr Amankwah should not be “assigned, appointed, contracted, or considered for any official role connected to elections in Ghana, particularly in Suhum Constituency.”
The group said it has attached photographs and video footage which it claims show Mr Amankwah participating in the vetting of NPP polling station executive aspirants.
The petition was copied to the Suhum District Police Commander, the Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, the Suhum Municipal Chief Executive and the Chief of Suhum.
Leaders of the group include Michael Lawer,Marcus Ayeh, Anthoinette Dawoe , Akilu Ahmed,and Ali Jaraah.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
