Political mob attempted to burn my father’s house – Charlotte Osei [Video]

Former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei, has revealed the personal threats and attacks she faced during her tenure, including an alleged attempt by a mob to burn down her father’s house.

Speaking at the 2025 Democracy Dialogues in Accra, organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Mrs. Osei described her time in office as emotionally taxing for both her and her family.

“There were a lot of lies, and the whole fabric of the family was affected. It was either worrying for themselves or constantly worrying about your safety. There was a time that a political party mob surrounded my dad’s house, and they were going to burn it down because of actions they felt I had taken,” she recounted.

She also highlighted the gender and age-based criticism she faced. “Being female, I was told directly by several people that it was not a job for a woman. Even my own father expressed the same fear. Many thought I was too young, especially coming after a legendary figure, Dr. Afari-Gyan,” she added.

Turning to Africa’s democratic institutions, Mrs. Osei criticised ECOWAS and the African Union for relying on “quiet diplomacy” when addressing flawed elections and constitutional manipulation, contrasting it with their strong public stance against coups.

She warned that ignoring the frustrations of Africa’s youth, many of whom face unemployment and exclusion, could further undermine democracy. “Leaders need to do better. Institutions like the African Union and ECOWAS need to do better so they are not seen as clubs of leaders meeting among themselves but as bodies that engage the people,” she urged.

President John Mahama, who also spoke at the forum, cautioned that rising public approval for military regimes reflects deepening disillusionment with democracy. He stressed that democracy must go beyond rights and freedoms to deliver tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.

Source: Adomonline

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