High Court to hear case challenging Customs Staff Association elections

The leadership of the Customs Staff Association (CSA), operating under the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has been dragged before the Accra High Court over the conduct of its recent National Delegates Conference and elections. The process, according to some members, violated constitutional provisions and lacked procedural legitimacy.

Two officers of the Association — Joshua Edem Adzido-Doe and Prince-Henry Amanor Terkpertey — are the plaintiffs in the suit. They contend that the elections held between September 16 and 20, 2025, at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, were carried out in defiance of a pending court injunction and contrary to several provisions of the CSA Constitution.

The injunction, filed on September 12, 2025, sought to halt the conference, but the Association allegedly proceeded regardless.
The defendants named in the case include the Customs Staff Association (as the 1st Defendant) and two former executives — Mr. Christopher Mohammed Mosongo, former Acting National Chairman, and Mr. Gift Emmanuel Kofi Tsamah, former National Secretary.

Plaintiffs Cite Multiple Constitutional Violations

The aggrieved members argue that the elections were illegally conducted, citing several breaches that undermine their credibility. Their allegations include:

No Electoral Commission Oversight: The process was not supervised by a representative of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, in violation of Article 21(d)(ii).

Absence of Vetting Committee: The mandatory Vetting Committee was never established, contravening Article 20, and failed to submit approved candidates to the Election Committee within the constitutionally required 21-day period.

Lack of Financial Transparency: The leadership failed to circulate audited financial statements to branches 30 days before the conference as stipulated in Article 18(e)(i).

Improper Delegate Selection: The delegate composition allegedly breached Article 18(c), which mandates between four and six delegates per branch.

No Branch-Level Elections: No branch elections were organized within the three months preceding the conference, contrary to Article 19(k).

Unapproved Election Committee: The Election Committee was not duly appointed by the National Executive Committee, breaching Article 21(a).

According to the plaintiffs, their repeated calls for constitutional compliance were ignored. A September 7, 2025, response from the CSA dismissed their concerns and refused to take corrective measures.

Reliefs and Court Actions Sought

In their Amended Statement of Claim, the plaintiffs are seeking several declarations and orders, including:

A judicial declaration that the September 2025 National Delegates Conference and elections were unconstitutional and void.

An order nullifying all decisions, appointments, and resolutions emanating from the disputed event.

A perpetual injunction restraining the newly elected executives from functioning or representing the Association.

A directive requiring members of the former National Executive Committee to account for and refund all misused funds related to the conference.

The plaintiffs have also filed a Motion for Interlocutory Injunction, asking the court to temporarily halt all activities of the newly elected executives pending judgment.

They are specifically requesting the court to restrain the contested officers from:

Acting as national executives of the CSA.

Accessing or managing any CSA financial accounts or instruments.

The plaintiffs argue that failure to grant the injunction would “legitimize illegality” and inflict serious reputational and institutional damage on the Association.

The case has been scheduled for hearing on Monday, October 13, 2025, at the General Jurisdiction Division of the Accra High Court, where arguments over the injunction are expected to be heard.