Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei, born February 1, 1969, is a prominent Ghanaian lawyer and groundbreaking public servant who became Ghana’s first female Electoral Commissioner. She served as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana from 2015 until her dismissal in June 2018, and now serves as a UN International Elections Commissioner. Her career extends over three decades in law, public service, and electoral governance across Ghana and internationally.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei |
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1969 |
| Place of Birth | Nigeria |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Province of Origin | Central Region (Cape Coast, Oguaa Traditional Area) |
| Partner | Mr. Osei |
| Children | Two children |
| Occupations | Lawyer, UN International Elections Commissioner, CEO, Writer, Speaker, Business Mentor, Chief (Safohen) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1 million – $5 million USD |
Early Life and Education
Charlotte Osei was born in Nigeria to a family of mixed West African heritage. She attended Ghana National College in Cape Coast for secondary education. She earned her LLB from the University of Ghana in 1992, winning the Volta Hall Award for Best Arts Results.
She was called to the bar at Ghana School of Law in 1994. She later obtained an MBL from the University of South Africa (2006) and an LLM from Queen’s University, Canada (1996).
Career
Charlotte Osei began her career in academia and law, working as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Ghana, practicing at Laryea Company in Accra, and serving as Senior Legal Officer at Ghana Commercial Bank. She also taught part-time as a Lecturer in Commercial Law and worked as General Counsel at Unibank Ghana before founding Prime Attorneys, a business law firm, in 2005.
In 2011, Osei became Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the first woman to lead this commission.
In 2015, she became Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, also the first woman in this role. She served as Returning Officer for Ghana’s acclaimed 2016 elections and became President of the African Association of Election Authorities.
In May 2019, Osei was appointed UN International Elections Commissioner for Afghanistan, the first Ghanaian and first African female appointed by both the UN and Afghanistan’s President.
She currently serves as CEO of Cyrus Group and works as a Wealth & Legacy Lawyer, Tri-Sector Consultant, writer, speaker, and business mentor. In June 2024, she was enstooled as Safohen Nana Ama Kesson in Oguaa Traditional Area, Cape Coast.
Personal Life
Charlotte Osei is married to Mr. Osei, a private individual who avoids public attention and whose name has not been publicly disclosed. The couple has two children.
In June 2024, she received the traditional title of Safohen Nana Ama Kesson when she was enstooled as leader of Nkum Asafo #4 warrior group in the Oguaa Traditional Area of Cape Coast.
She maintains an active social media presence on Instagram and Twitter (@char_osei), Facebook (Char Osei), and YouTube (Charlotte Osei). She is also available on LinkedIn.
Controversies
- Dismissal from Electoral Commission (June 28, 2018): Removed from office following an investigation committee headed by Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo that found six allegations of breaches of Public Procurement laws in awarding contracts prior to the 2016 elections
- Grounds for dismissal: Financial malfeasance and misbehavior pursuant to Article 146(1) of the Ghanaian Constitution; President Nana Akufo-Addo ordered immediate removal under Article 156(9)
- Legal challenge: Two separate writs filed in the Supreme Court of Ghana by Fafali Nyonator and Abdul Malik Kweku Baako (newspaper editor) contesting her dismissal
- Defense: Osei delayed responding to accusations due to the sudden death of Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur; supporters claim she “saved Ghana GH¢15 million” by canceling a contract due to procurement rule violations
Net Worth
Charlotte Osei’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, but estimated figures suggest she is worth between $1 million to $5 million USD. She is featured among Ghana’s top 10 richest women according to Forbes (2025). Her wealth comes from over 30 years of legal practice, board seats, consulting, and speaking engagements.
Awards and Recognition
- Volta Hall Award (1991): University of Ghana – Best Arts Results in First University Examinations
- Excellence Award (1992): Ghana Bar Association – LLB Final Examinations, University of Ghana
- Woman of Courage Award (2017): U.S. Embassy, Ghana – Managing transparent and credible 2016 election; boosting inclusion and civic engagement
- Glitz Africa Woman of the Year Award (2018): Glitz Africa – Governance category
- Chatham House Prize (2017): Chatham House, London – Finalist (did not win)
- PPP Skills & Competency Development (2009): Institute for Public-Private Partnerships, Arlington, VA, USA
- Basic and Advanced Securities Certification (1997): Ghana Stock Exchange – Securities Selling and Investment Advice
Charlotte Osei’s legacy is that of a trailblazer who shattered glass ceilings for women in Ghanaian electoral governance and continues to serve as an international electoral expert, bringing her three decades of expertise to strengthen democracy both in Ghana and globally.
