Military Security Withdrawn from EC Chair’s Labone Residence

The military security presence at the private Labone residence of Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa, has reportedly been withdrawn, leaving the once heavily guarded home quiet and unoccupied by security personnel.

Soldiers who had been assigned to provide round-the-clock protection were recalled without any official explanation from the military or government. A vendor in the area told reporters that the last time she saw any of the military detail was on June 25, 2025. Since then, the entrance to the residence has been notably empty, with none of the usual activity that previously signaled a military presence.

Jean Mensa, like several other high-ranking government officials, received military protection during the Akufo-Addo administration. However, the decision to assign soldiers to her private residence stirred public debate, with many critics questioning the appropriateness of such an arrangement. Some argued that military officers should remain in the barracks or be deployed only for national security matters—not to guard civilian appointees at their homes.

The withdrawal of the military detail is reigniting those earlier concerns. Comparisons have been drawn to previous Electoral Commission chairs such as Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan and Charlotte Osei, who either had police protection or no personal security detail at all. For many, this highlights what they see as the political overreach of the former administration.

Appointed in 2018, Jean Mensa has overseen two general elections and several by-elections. Her time at the helm of the EC has often been marked by fierce political criticism, particularly over decisions seen as controversial or partisan by segments of the public.

As of now, neither Jean Mensa nor the Ghana Armed Forces has issued any public statement regarding the reasons behind the security withdrawal.