Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has expressed support for President John Mahama's appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as one of the two new Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission. According to Iddrisu, the appointment is "constitutionally appropriate," despite criticism from some quarters. Iddrisu made these comments on the Joy Super Morning Show on Tuesday, October 13. He emphasized that the President has the power to make such appointments under Article 45 of the Ghanaian Constitution.
Afi Agbenyo's appointment has been met with controversy due to her affiliation with the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The 43-year-old international development cooperation professional previously served as a spokesperson for the NDC on governance during the 2024 general elections. Social media posts and a video of her speaking on a media platform as an NDC representative have gone viral, leading some to question her independence and neutrality in her new role.
Iddrisu acknowledged that critics have legitimate concerns but argued that the appointment is legitimate. He stated that he has worked with Afi Agbenyo in the past and that she was previously employed under his Ministry as Deputy to the Chief Executive of TVET Services. Iddrisu emphasized the need for legislation to define the parameters of who is eligible for appointment to the Electoral Commission, beyond the constitutional requirements.
The MP expressed his vision for an Electoral Commission that upholds democratic values, transparency, and independence. He hinted that there would be major reforms to the constitution to address complex issues such as this. According to Iddrisu, President Mahama has initiated a constitutional review process that will lead to far-reaching changes, including the introduction of two important bills in Parliament.
One of the bills seeks to amend the entrenched provisions of the Constitution, while the other aims to amend the non-entrenched provisions. Iddrisu suggested that the appointment of Afi Agbenyo is a reminder to the government to ensure equity and fairness in its actions. He emphasized that if Afi Agbenyo engages in political activities while in office, it would be unacceptable.
Iddrisu disputed the notion that EC officials have the power to manipulate results in anyone's favor. He stated that the onus of winning an election lies with the candidates and that the Electoral Commission's role is to provide a fair, open, and transparent platform. Iddrisu shared his experience of closely monitoring the electoral process in his constituency and emphasized the importance of citizen engagement in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
Finally, Iddrisu acknowledged the reservations expressed by Ghanaians regarding Afi Agbenyo's appointment and stated that the government has taken note of them. He expressed his confidence in the integrity of the Electoral Commission and emphasized the need for citizens to be actively engaged in the electoral process to ensure its transparency and fairness.
Key points
- The appointment of Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Electoral Commissioner is constitutionally appropriate, according to Haruna Iddrisu.
- Iddrisu emphasized the need for legislation to define the parameters of who is eligible for appointment to the Electoral Commission.
- The MP hinted that there would be major reforms to the constitution to address complex issues such as the appointment of Afi Agbenyo.
