Customs Staff Association Executives dragged to court over alleged unlawful elections

Executives of the Customs Staff Association (CSA) under the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have been hauled before the High Court over the conduct of the Association’s recent National Delegates Conference and elections.

Two of its members have taken the Association to the High Court of Justice in Accra, challenging the legitimacy of the National Delegates Conference and elections.

The suit, filed by Joshua Edem Adzido-Doe and Prince-Henry Amanor Terkpertey, both Customs Officers and full members of the Association, alleges that the entire process was conducted in breach of several key provisions of the CSA Constitution.

Before the conference, the plaintiffs had earlier filed an injunction against it on 12th September, but the Association went ahead to organise the election nonetheless.

The defendants named in the action include the Customs Staff Association (as the 1st Defendant) and two of its former national officers—Mr Christopher Mohammed Mosongo, the former Acting National Chairman, and Mr Gift Emmanuel Kofi Tsamah, the former National Secretary.

The disputed National Delegates Conference was held at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho between 16th and 20th September 2025.

The plaintiffs insist that the elections held during that event were “null and void”, claiming they were marred by procedural irregularities and constitutional violations.

Alleged constitutional infractions

The plaintiffs outline a number of breaches which, they contend, undermine the credibility and legality of the entire process. Among the alleged violations are:

1. Electoral Supervision: The elections were reportedly not conducted under the supervision of a representative of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, contrary to Article 21(d)(ii).
2. Vetting Committee Failure: The Vetting Committee was non-existent, in violation of Article 20, and failed to present qualified nominees to the Election Committee twenty-one (21) days before the Conference, as stipulated in Article 19(h).
3. Financial Accountability: The Association allegedly failed to circulate audited financial statements to all branches thirty (30) days before the Conference, as required by Article 18(e)(i).
4. Delegates Composition: The delegates list was purportedly drawn up in breach of Article 18(c), which prescribes between four (4) and six (6) delegates per branch.
5. Branch Elections: No Branch elections were organised within the mandatory three-month period preceding the National Conference, contrary to Article 19(k).
6. Election Committee Appointment: The Election Committee was allegedly never formally appointed by the National Executive Committee, contrary to Article 21(a).

The plaintiffs claim that a member of the association wrote a formal letter demanding compliance with the constitution of CSA.

However, the Association reportedly defended its actions in a response dated 7th September 2025, refusing to rectify the alleged breaches.

Reliefs and interim measures sought

In their Amended Statement of Claim, the plaintiffs are seeking several key reliefs from the High Court, including:

1. A declaration that the National Delegates Conference and elections held between 16th and 20th September 2025 were unlawful.
2. An order nullifying all actions, resolutions, and appointments made at or following the said conference.
3. A perpetual injunction restraining the purportedly elected executives from assuming office or performing any functions on behalf of the Association.
4. An order compelling members of the former National Executive Committee who organised the disputed conference to personally account for and refund all misapplied or unlawfully expended funds.

Additionally, the plaintiffs have filed a Motion on Notice for an Interlocutory Injunction, seeking to halt all actions by the newly elected executives pending the final determination of the case.

They are specifically asking the Court to restrain the new officers from:

1. Acting as National Executive Officers of the Association.
2. Operating, accessing, or withdrawing funds from any of the Association’s bank accounts or financial instruments.

The plaintiffs argue that the balance of convenience favours the granting of the injunction, warning that permitting the contested executives to function would “entrench illegality” and inflict “institutional and reputational damage” on the CSA and its membership.

The injunction application which was filed on 26th September 2025, is expected to be heard on Monday, October 13, at the General Jurisdiction Division of the High Court in Accra.

Below is the writ:

In response to the suit, the defendants told MyJoyOnline.com that they had been served and had filed an appearance to attend court on Monday.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.