The founder and leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr Hassan Ayariga, has defended Afia Agbenyo Emilia’s appointment as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), arguing that perceived political affiliation should not, on its own, be used to determine a person’s suitability for the position.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Morning Show in Accra-Tema on Monday, October 19, 2026, Dr Ayariga acknowledged claims linking Ms Agbenyo Emilia to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), but maintained that the central issues should be her qualifications, conduct and ability to discharge her responsibilities independently.
He argued that Ghana’s constitutional framework should provide clearer guidance on political affiliation and eligibility for leadership positions at the Electoral Commission. According to him, if Ms Agbenyo Emilia meets the required qualifications, she should be allowed to perform her duties, with the public assessing her conduct and professional independence.
Dr Ayariga stressed that qualifications alone do not guarantee integrity or impartiality, saying the key question is whether an appointee can perform the role without compromising the independence of the Commission.
“The question now is, will she compromise her position as the deputy EC when it comes to elections?” he asked.
He argued that the Electoral Commission operates through established institutional structures and that one appointee should not be assumed to have the ability to manipulate the electoral process single-handedly. In his view, the effectiveness of institutional safeguards is more important than the political identity attributed to an individual officeholder.
To support his argument, Dr Ayariga referred to former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei, whom he described as having been associated with the NDC. He noted that the NDC lost the 2016 general election to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during her tenure, arguing that perceived political association did not prevent the transfer of power to the opposition.
He also referred to the current leadership of the Electoral Commission, which he said some people perceive as aligned with the NPP. He maintained that the focus should be on the Commission’s ability to conduct credible elections rather than assumptions about the political leanings of its leadership.
Dr Ayariga rejected the suggestion that Ms Agbenyo Emilia’s appointment should automatically be interpreted as an attempt by the NDC to secure an electoral advantage. He urged Ghanaians to assess public officials on their conduct and the systems governing their work instead of relying primarily on partisan considerations.
The APC leader further called for stronger national data systems and transparent institutional arrangements to reduce opportunities for manipulation and improve public confidence in governance and elections. He said properly designed systems could limit the ability of individuals to interfere with institutional processes, regardless of their perceived political affiliation.
According to Dr Ayariga, the debate over Ms Agbenyo Emilia’s appointment should lead to a broader discussion about electoral reforms, institutional independence and the safeguards needed to protect Ghana’s democratic process.
He maintained that credible elections depend not only on the individuals appointed to lead the Electoral Commission but also on the strength of the laws, procedures and systems that guide its operations.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah
