A Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Asah-Asante, has emphasised the importance of non-partisanship in appointments to the Electoral Commission (EC). He made these comments in light of concerns surrounding the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson. Dr Asah-Asante stated that individuals appointed to the Commission must be above board and free from partisan interests to maintain public confidence in Ghana's electoral process.
Dr Asah-Asante's comments were made on TV3's News 360, where he highlighted that any perceived political affiliation of an EC official could raise concerns about the Commission's neutrality. He specifically mentioned that if Emelia Afi Agbenyo is an NDC sympathiser or faithful, then there is a problem. The concerns follow Ms Agbenyo's appointment as one of two new Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission, despite her reported affiliation with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
President John Dramani Mahama has urged the two appointees, Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, to perform their duties fairly and without favouring any political party. The President gave the directive during their swearing-in ceremony on Monday, October 12, 2026. He emphasised that the appointees must prioritise the interests of Ghanaians in the discharge of their responsibilities.
President Mahama expected the Commission to ensure that every eligible citizen could participate in elections and that every valid vote was counted and reflected the will of the people. He stated that the duty of the appointees is to the people of Ghana, and they must discharge their duty without favouring any candidate or party. The President also expected no preferential treatment for himself, his government, or party.
The appointments fill vacancies created by the resignation of Dr Bossman Asare and the retirement of Samuel Tettey, strengthening the Commission's leadership as it prepares to carry out its electoral responsibilities. Ms Agbenyo previously served as Deputy Director of Operations at the Ghana TVET Service. Dr Asamoah, a law lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), previously held several senior positions at the Electoral Commission.
Dr Bossman Asare, who was responsible for Corporate Affairs at the EC, resigned effective July 31, 2026, to return to academia at the University of Ghana. Mr Tettey, the former Deputy Chairperson in charge of Operations, retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age. The appointments have renewed discussions about the importance of political neutrality and public confidence in the Electoral Commission.
The Electoral Commission is responsible for organising and supervising elections in Ghana. The concerns over Emelia Afi Agbenyo's appointment have highlighted the need for impartiality in the Commission's appointments. Key to this is ensuring that appointees are free from partisan interests and can carry out their duties without favouring any political party.
Key points
- Dr Asah-Asante stresses the need for non-partisanship in EC appointments.
- President Mahama urges appointees to perform duties fairly and without favouring any party.
- The appointments aim to strengthen the Commission's leadership ahead of upcoming elections.
