The appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) has been criticised by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), with its Communications Director Dennis Miracles Aboagye accusing the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of selecting one of its own party members.
Mr Aboagye said the appointment was embarrassing and suggested the government had chosen Ms Agbenyo from its internal party database rather than making a politically independent selection.
“It’s a shame that we have a government that doesn’t even see how embarrassing it is. They simply go into their party database and pick one of their political operatives and appoint her as a Deputy EC Chair,” he said.
The appointment has prompted questions because Ms Agbenyo is known to be an NDC member. Dr Asah-Asante, a Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, said people appointed to the electoral body must be impartial and seen to be independent of political parties.
“The people we need are people above board and not people that are partisan. If it is the case that [Emelia Afi Agbenyo] is an NDC sympathizer or faithful, then we have a problem on our hand,” Dr Asante said on News 360 on TV3 on Monday.
However, Rashid Tanko Computer, the NDC’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, defended the appointment and said Ms Agbenyo was suitably qualified.
“She is even supposed to be the Commissioner but not a Deputy because she is very much qualified,” he said.
President John Dramani Mahama has instructed Ms Agbenyo and Joseph Kwaku Asamoah (Esq.), the two newly appointed Deputy Chairpersons, to carry out their responsibilities fairly.
Speaking at their swearing-in ceremony on Monday, 12 October, President Mahama said he expected them to use their experience in the service of the people of Ghana and ensure that all eligible citizens could take part in elections.
“Ensure that every eligible citizen can participate in our electoral process and that every valid vote counts and reflects the will of the people.
“The duty is to the people of Ghana and its people, discharge your duty without favouring any candidate or party. I expect no preferential treatment for myself, my govt and party,” he said.
The appointments fill vacancies created by the departure of Dr Bossman Asare and the retirement of Samuel Tettey, while strengthening the EC’s leadership as it carries out its electoral responsibilities.
Ms Agbenyo is Deputy Director for Operations at the Ghana TVET Service. Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah, a law lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), previously served in a number of senior EC roles, including Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre and Head of Audit.
Dr Bossman Asare, who was responsible for Corporate Affairs, resigned effective 31 July 2026 to return to academia at the University of Ghana. Mr Tettey, the former Deputy Chairperson responsible for Operations, retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age.
