Charlotte Osei

Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei, born on 1 February 1969, is a Ghanaian lawyer and public servant who made history as the first woman to chair the Electoral Commission of Ghana. Her tenure from 2015 to 2018 placed her at the centre of one of West Africa's most closely watched elections, before a controversial removal from office ended her term prematurely. Osei received her foundational legal training in Ghana, attending the University of Ghana and the Ghana School of Law. She later pursued further studies at the University of South Africa and Queen's University in Canada, broadening her grounding in law and governance. She lectured part-time in commercial law at university from 1997 and served as Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education before her appointment to the Electoral Commission. In 2015, President John Mahama appointed Osei as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, making her the institution's first female head since Ghana's independence. Her appointment came at a critical moment: the 2016 general election was one of the most competitive in recent Ghanaian history. Under her supervision, the December 2016 election produced a decisive result, with Nana Akufo-Addo defeating incumbent John Mahama in a first-round victory. International observers broadly commended the conduct of the poll. Osei also pursued biometric voter registration reforms intended to strengthen the integrity of the voter roll. In June 2018, President Akufo-Addo removed Osei from office following a committee established by the Chief Justice under Article 146(4) of Ghana's Constitution, which investigated petitions alleging financial malfeasance and procurement irregularities. Osei consistently disputed the characterisation of her conduct. Her removal generated significant public debate about the independence of constitutional bodies. In May 2019, the United Nations appointed her to a team of international electoral advisors supporting the management of Afghanistan's presidential election, confirming that her professional standing retained international currency after her departure from the Ghanaian commission. Her trajectory illustrates both the fragility of tenure in Ghana's constitutional bodies and the continuing relevance of experienced electoral administrators on the global stage.

Frequently asked questions about Charlotte Osei

What is Charlotte Osei known for?

Charlotte Osei is a Lawyer, former Electoral Commission Chairperson.

What is Charlotte Osei's nationality?

Charlotte Osei is Ghanaian.