On October 12, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama administered the oath of office to Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as the new Deputy Chairpersons of Ghana's Electoral Commission. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the presidency, where President Mahama emphasized the importance of fairness and impartiality in the electoral process. He encouraged the new appointees to bring their experience to bear in the service of Ghanaians.
President Mahama's address to the new Deputy Chairpersons highlighted the critical role they will play in ensuring the integrity of Ghana's electoral process. He urged them to ensure that every eligible citizen can participate in the electoral process and that every valid vote counts and reflects the will of the people. The President also emphasized that the duty of the Electoral Commission is to the people of Ghana, and that they should discharge their duties without favoring any candidate or party.
The appointments of Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah fill vacancies created by recent departures from the Electoral Commission. Dr. Bossman Asare, who was in charge of Corporate Affairs, resigned effective July 31, 2026, to return to academia at the University of Ghana. Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chairperson responsible for Operations, reached the mandatory retirement age. The new appointees bring a wealth of experience to the commission, with Emelia Afi Agbenyo serving as Deputy Director of Operations at the Ghana TVET Service.
Dr. Joseph Kweku Asamoah, a law lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has a strong background in electoral administration. He previously held several senior positions at the Electoral Commission, including Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre, and Head of Audit. His expertise is expected to enhance the commission's capacity to deliver credible elections.
The Electoral Commission is critical to Ghana's democratic process, and the appointment of new Deputy Chairpersons is seen as a significant development. President Mahama's emphasis on fairness and impartiality reflects the high expectations of Ghanaians for transparent and credible elections. The new Deputy Chairpersons have a critical role to play in meeting these expectations.
Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah have taken on significant responsibilities at a critical time in Ghana's electoral cycle. Their appointments have been welcomed by various stakeholders, who expect them to bring a fresh perspective to the Electoral Commission. The commission's leadership is expected to be strengthened by their expertise and experience.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new Deputy Chairpersons marks a significant milestone in Ghana's electoral process. President Mahama's call for fairness and impartiality serves as a reminder of the critical role that the Electoral Commission plays in Ghana's democracy. The new Deputy Chairpersons will be expected to work tirelessly to ensure that Ghana's electoral process is transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the people.
Key points
- President John Dramani Mahama swore in Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as new Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission on October 12, 2026.
