{{Short description|Electoral Commissioner of Ghana}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Jean Mensa |office = Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana |order = |alt = |caption = |constituency = |deputy = |predecessor = Charlotte Osei |president = Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo |successor = |footnotes = |signature = |signature_alt = |majority = |party = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|11|12}} |birth_place = Accra, Ghana |death_date = |death_place = |other_party = <!--For additional political affiliations--> |spouse = Charles Mensa |partner = |relations = Jacob Amekor Blukoo-Allotey<br/>(Father) |children = | education = St. Mary's Senior High School |alma_mater = University of Ghana |occupation = |profession = Lawyer |cabinet = |committees = |portfolio = |blank1 = |website = |term_start = 2018 }}
'''Jean Adukwei Mensa''' (née Blukoo-Allotey born November 12, 1971) is a Ghanaian lawyer by profession who has been serving as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana since July 2018.<ref name="nominated">{{cite web |title=IEA boss Jean Mensah nominated EC Chair |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2018/July-23rd/iea-boss-jean-mensah-nominated-ec-chair.php |website=Myjoyonline}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adomonline.com/ghana-news/breaking-akufo-addo-names-ieas-jean-mensa-as-new-ec-chair/|title=Breaking: Akufo-Addo names IEA's Jean Mensa as new EC Chair|first=Dorcas|last=Abedu-Kennedy|date=23 July 2018|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/jean-mensa-is-unfit-to-occupy-the-high-position-of-ec-chairperson-ndc.html|location=Accra, Ghana|title=Jean Mensa is unfit to occupy high position of EC chairperson - NDC|first=Enoch Darfah|last=Frimpong|newspaper=Daily Graphic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-18|title=Security isn't EC's job; but lives should never be lost in an election – Jean Mensa|url=https://citinewsroom.com/2021/05/security-isnt-ecs-job-but-lives-should-never-be-lost-in-an-election-jean-mensa/|access-date=2021-05-18|website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=EC not to blame for violence, deaths during 2020 polls - Jean Mensa - MyJoyOnline.com |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/ec-not-to-blame-for-violence-deaths-during-2020-polls-jean-mensa/ |access-date=2021-05-18 |website=Myjoyonline. |date=18 May 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jean Mensa doesn't care about those who lost their lives in 2020 elections - Peter Otokunor - MyJoyOnline.com |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/jean-mensa-doesnt-care-about-those-who-lost-their-lives-in-2020-elections-peter-otokunor/ |access-date=2021-05-19 |website=Myjoyonline |date=18 May 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jean Mensa, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Jean-Mensa-3409 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=GhanaWeb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ndetei |first=Chris |date=2018-08-20 |title=Who is Jean Mensa |url=https://yen.com.gh/114624-who-jean-mensa.html |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=Yen- Ghana news. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abedu-Kennedy |first=Dorcas |date=2018-07-23 |title=Breaking: Akufo-Addo names IEA's Jean Mensa as new EC Chair |url=https://www.adomonline.com/breaking-akufo-addo-names-ieas-jean-mensa-as-new-ec-chair/ |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=Adomonline |language=en-US}}</ref> She was nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo to take over the chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) from her predecessor, Charlotte Osei.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-02 |title=Jean Mensa is EC boss |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Jean-Mensa-is-EC-boss-673838 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref> Prior to assuming the role of chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa spent an 18-year career at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), rising to the position of executive director.<ref name=nominated/> As the EC chairperson, Jean Mensa declared the then presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the NPP as the president-elect of the December 7th, 2020 Presidential Election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owusu-Mensah |first=Jeffrey |date=2020-12-09 |title=Breaking: EC finally declares Akufo-Addo as winner of 2020 elections |url=https://yen.com.gh/178857-election-2020-jean-mensa-declares-akufo-addo-winner-mahama.html |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202210119/https://yen.com.gh/178857-election-2020-jean-mensa-declares-akufo-addo-winner-mahama.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Early life and education== Jean was born on November 12, 1971, in Accra to Ga parents. Her father is Jacob Blukoo-Allotey, a physician who was awarded the Order of the Volta in 2008. Jean received her secondary education at St. Mary's Senior High School in Accra, after completion of her basic education at Ridge Church School. She studied at the University of Ghana Law school and received her degree in 1993. She was called to the Ghana Bar Association in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theindependentghana.com/2020/06/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-beautiful-ec-boss-jean-mensah/|title=All you need to know about the beautiful EC boss, Jean Mensa|website=theindependentghana.com|access-date=26 February 2021}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-05 |title=Meet de woman who dey organize Ghana 2020 election |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-55178641 |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=BBC News Pidgin}}</ref><ref name="Jean Mensa, Biography">{{Cite web |title=Jean Mensa, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Jean-Mensa-3409 |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=GhanaWeb}}</ref>
==Career== Mensa was appointed as the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana on 23 July 2018, after her predecessor Charlotte Osei<ref>{{Citation |title=Charlotte Osei |date=2024-05-13 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Osei |access-date=2024-11-12 |language=en}}</ref> was removed from office. Mensa has been involved in the development of policies, such as the Presidential Transition Act of 2012, the Revised 1992 Constitution of Ghana (draft), the Political Parties Funding Bill, and the Revised Political Parties Bill.<ref name=nominated/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://citinewsroom.com/2018/07/23/iea-boss-jean-mensa-nominated-new-ec-chair/|title=IEA boss, Jean Mensa nominated new EC Chair|date=2018-07-23|work=Citi Newsroom|access-date=2018-10-27|language=en-US}}</ref> Her specialization has been developing and implementing policy alternatives that reflect international best practice but are also tailored to Ghana's needs.
Mensa was sworn in by the President of Ghana, Akufo-Addo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-01 |title=Nana Addo swears in Jean Mensa as new EC chair |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2018/08/nana-addo-swears-in-jean-mensa-as-new-ec-chair/ |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=premiumtimesng |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/foreign/west-africa-foreign/278655-ghana-president-swears-in-new-election-chief.html?tztc=1 |access-date=2023-09-09 |newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-01 |title=Akufo-Addo swears in Jean Mensa, 3 other EC commissioners - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/akufo-addo-swears-in-jean-mensa-3-other-ec-commissioners/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The swearing came in after a Ghanaian citizen, Fafali Nyonatorto, tried to stop the president appointing a new Electoral Commission chair. Nyonatorto challenged the removal of the former Electoral Commission to enable the court to hear her substantive case. The president claimed the removal of the former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, from her office was carried out with no malice.The president said it was expected of him to discharge the constitutional mandate.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nana Addo swears in Jean Mensa as new EC chair|url=https://citinewsroom.com/2018/08/nana-addo-swears-in-jean-mensa-as-new-ec-chair/|date=2018-08-01|website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Nyabor|first=Jonas|date=31 July 2018|title=Injunction suit to stop appointment of new EC boss dismissed|url=https://citinewsroom.com/2018/07/injunction-suit-to-stop-appointment-of-new-ec-boss-dismissed/|access-date=26 February 2021|website=Citinewsroom|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Peace FM |title=We're Still Against New EC Boss – NDC |url=https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/politics/politics/201808/359455.php |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news |archive-date=2024-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318194408/https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/politics/politics/201808/359455.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2010, Mensa was part of a nine-member constitutional review committee that was set up by the late president John Evans Atta Mills, to review the 1992 constitution. The role of the committee was to consult with Ghanaians on the operation of the 1992 Constitution and on any changes that needed to be made to the constitution.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nyabor |first=Jonas |date=January 29, 2024 |title=9 things about Jean Mensa, Ghana's election chief |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/334464/9-things-about-jean-mensa-ghanas-election-chief/}}</ref> After the review, there was little to no implementation of its recommendations.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Adobea-Owusu |first1=Adwoa |date=July 19, 2022 |title=The wishes that never became horses: A case of Ghana's constitutional review |url=https://thefourthestategh.com/2022/07/19/the-wishes-that-never-became-horses-a-case-of-ghanas-constitutional-review/ |website=The Fourth Estate}}</ref>
Mensa facilitated the IEA's Evening Encounter Series, Ghana's presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates, as well as Town hall meetings for parliamentary candidates. Prior to working at the IEA, Mensa also worked at Amarkai Amarteifio Chambers (1995–1997) and BJ Da Rocha Chambers as a Junior Lawyer (1998).{{citation needed|date = February 2025}}
Mensa has been ranked by the African Network of Entrepreneurs (TANOE) as one of the top sixty corporate women leaders in Ghana (2017).<ref>{{cite web | title=WomanRising announces 2017 top 60 Corporate Women Leaders in Ghana | website=GhanaWeb | date=16 October 2017 | url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/WomanRising-announces-2017-top-60-Corporate-Women-Leaders-in-Ghana-591295 | access-date=6 February 2025}}</ref> She has won awards including the Excellent Leadership Award by the EXLA Group (2013) and the Young Professional Role Model in Governance Award presented by the Young Professionals and Youth Coalition Initiative (2014).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-05 |title=Ghana Electoral Commission: Jean Adukwei Mensa biography [Who be Jean Mensah in Ghana?] |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-55178641.amp |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=BBC News Pidgin}}</ref>
In July 2023, Mensa was selected as a member of ECOWAS and African Union (AU) Joint Pre-election Fact-finding Mission to Liberia ahead of the country's election on 10 October 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Peace FM |title=Jean Mensa Joins ECOWAS' Liberian Mission |url=https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/politics/news/202307/491119.php |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news |archive-date=2023-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817200116/https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/politics/news/202307/491119.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> She received an award as the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana for being the best head of a government institution for the Ministries, Departments and Agencies category for 2022 and 2023 audit period.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-16 |title=Mrs Jean Mensa, Chairperson, Electoral Commission of Ghana Awarded Winner of Best Head of Covered Entity-MDAs Category - Electoral Commission |url=https://ec.gov.gh/event/mrs-jean-mensa-chairperson-electoral-commission-of-ghana-awarded-winner-of-best-head-of-covered-entity-mdas-category/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=ec.gov.gh |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Jean Mensa is married to Dr. Charles Mensa, a former resident director of the Volta Aluminium Company.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 16, 2021 |title=Election petition: Jean Mensa's husband goes all out for wife in court [Photos] |url=https://www.adomonline.com/election-petition-jean-mensas-husband-goes-all-out-for-wife-in-court-photos/ |work=Adom Online}}</ref>
== Controversy ==
=== Voter registry === The Electoral Commission (EC) chaired by Mensa was cautioned by the former president of Ghana John Mahama not to compile a new voters' register. He claimed there is not much time left for the general election to compile a new voters' register. He said Mensa and her outfit would be held responsible if the country turns into a turmoil after the 2020 general elections take place. Demonstrations took place across the country in three cities, Tamale, Kumasi and Accra, to sound their view against the compilation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jean Mensa, EC will be blamed if election 2020 turns chaotic - Mahama|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/news/national/jean-mensa-ec-will-be-blamed-if-election-2020-turns-chaotic-mahama/|date=2020-02-12|website=MyJoyOnline.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref> In September 2023, the Electoral Commission headed by Mensa begun the registration for new registrants, which was also a chance to all people who lost or attained 18 years of age to be able to register for new Voter ID cards to help them participate legally in coming elections.{{citation needed|date = February 2025}}
In February 2026, seven petitions seeking the removal of Jean Mensah as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana and her two deputies were dismissed after the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, determined that they did not establish a prima facie case under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. The petitions, which had been referred by President John Dramani Mahama in late 2025, alleged misconduct and incompetence. Following the Chief Justice's determination, the process ended at the preliminary stage and Mensah remained in office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Petitions to remove EC, OSP leadership fail after CJ finds no prima facie case - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/mahama-rejects-removal-petitions-after-cj-finds-no-prima-facie-case-against-ec-osp-leadership/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-bef|before=Charlotte Osei}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Electoral Commission of Ghana |years=2018 – present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mensa, Jean Adukwei}} Category:Living people Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:20th-century Ghanaian lawyers Category:University of Ghana alumni Category:St Mary's Senior High School (Ghana) alumni Category:Ridge Church School alumni Category:Ghanaian people of Jamaican descent Category:Ghanaian people of German descent Category:Ghanaian people of Danish descent Category:Ghanaian people of English descent Category:Harvard Business School alumni Category:21st-century Ghanaian lawyers Category:Electoral commissioners of Ghana Category:20th-century Ghanaian women lawyers Category:21st-century Ghanaian women lawyers Category:1971 births