David Kumi Addo, Executive Director of Care for Free and Fair Elections and Good Governance, has urged the public to assess the appointments of the two Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC) based on their qualifications and ability to perform their duties rather than through a partisan political lens.
Speaking on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM in Accra, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu, Mr Addo said the government and relevant statutory bodies had a responsibility to appoint people with the requisite calibre and expertise to manage the country’s electoral processes and safeguard democratic governance.
He stressed the need for impartiality in public discussions surrounding the appointments, arguing that the central consideration should be whether the nominees possess the necessary qualifications and competence to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
According to him, protecting Ghana’s democracy and ensuring free, fair and credible elections should take precedence over political considerations.
“The first issue to look at is whether they are qualified to do the job,” he indicated, adding that, in his view, both nominees possess the qualities required to perform their duties.
The comments come amid public debate over the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah as Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission.
Agbenyo’s appointment, in particular, has attracted criticism from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has questioned her suitability for the position, citing her involvement in the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s campaign activities and her role as a spokesperson for the party’s manifesto committee on governance.
However, her defenders argue that her professional background in gender advocacy and policy work, including her service as a technical adviser and gender analyst with GIZ Ghana, should also be considered when assessing her suitability for the role.
Her participation in the NDC’s 2020 and 2024 election campaigns has reportedly been explained as an effort to promote women’s representation in leadership rather than evidence of formal membership of the governing party.
Her supporters have also cited her reported criticism of the NDC in 2016 over governance concerns, as well as her warning before the 2024 elections that gender advocates could campaign against the party if it failed to retain a female running mate. They argue that these positions reflect her engagement with political parties on specific policy and gender-related issues.
Presidential staffer Beatrice Annan defended Agbenyo’s appointment, has maintained that she has never been a card-bearing member of the NDC and has not demonstrated any conduct suggesting that she would be biased in the performance of her duties.
“She has not done anything to demonstrate any potential bias or imminent bias,” she said.
She further maintained that the presidency followed the constitutionally prescribed procedures in making the appointments. According to her, the nominees were presented to the Council of State more than a month before their swearing-in, allowing the council to consult relevant stakeholders.
Mr Addo’s position underscores the importance of focusing on the qualifications, professional experience and impartiality of electoral officials as Ghana continues to strengthen public confidence in its democratic institutions.
He maintained that the overriding concern should be the ability of the appointed officials to perform their constitutional responsibilities fairly and independently, irrespective of their perceived political affiliations.