“You did not take your training seriously” – Justice Appau questions Dr Kpessa-Whyte competence

It was a test of competence and agility when Supreme Court Justices on Tuesday questioned Dr Michael Kpessa-Whyte role as a representative of the petitioner at the National Collation Centre of the Electoral Commission during the December 7 election. 

It was the view of Justice Yaw Appau that Dr Kpessa-Whyte, who is the second witness in the ongoing petition hearing, did not take his training seriously thus his decision to leave the EC’s strong room on December 9, 2020.

Justice Yaw Appau’s comment comes after the witness, in his testimony today (Tuesday) emphatically said the EC Chairperson Jean Mensa had instructed him and his colleague to leave to confer with the petitioner John Mahama about the said irregularities he had noticed.

According to Dr Kpessa-Whyte, unknowingly to him and his colleague, this was a ploy by the EC Chairperson to have them leave so she could hurriedly declare the results.

This, action, by the EC Chairperson, ahead of the declaration when documents had not been signed confirmed that it was indeed a grand scheme to declare the results in favour of the NPP presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo.

But when the Justices took turns to ask their questions, Justice Appau wondered why Dr Kpessa-Whyte and his colleague left the strong room at the same time.

“You have already told this court that you were not in the strong room to take instruction from the EC Chairperson Jean Mensa, your presence was to see to the cause of the petitioner so when the first respondent asked that you go and consult with the petitioner, what were you going to consult.

“You were in the strong room for a purpose, and she told you to go and consult the petitioner when you know part of your duties was to see to it that the form was signed.

“Would it be right for me to say that by taking instructions from the first respondent, granted what you are saying is true means you did not help the cause of the petitioner who sent you there. Seriously speaking you did not take your training seriously, Justice Appau indicated.

Justice Appau insisted that at least one of them should have stayed on to monitor the activities of the EC Chairperson and not neglect the duties for which they were sent there.

Dr Micheal Kpessa-Whyte is the second witness in the ongoing election petition hearing for the petitioner John Dramani Mahama.

The NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia has also ended his session with the apex court.

The two witnesses for the petitioner have been discharged.

The apex court will subsequently call on witnesses from the respondents side – Electoral Commission Jean Mensa and President’s Akufo-Addo representative Peter Mac Manu.