TEMA, Ghana, 15th October: The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has defended President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of two new Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC), dismissing allegations that the move is intended to give the President control over the electoral management body.
Some members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have criticised the appointments, arguing that they could undermine the independence of the EC.
However, Mr Koomson insists that the President has done nothing wrong, arguing that the appointments were necessary following vacancies in the positions.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme on Thursday, October 15, Mr Koomson questioned why the NPP was criticising the President over appointments he was constitutionally mandated to make.
“Two deputies of the EC have left their posts, and it is the mandate of the President to appoint new deputies. So why is the NPP crying?” he asked.
He further argued that if President Mahama intended to influence the work of the Electoral Commission, he could have appointed individuals with strong affiliations to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), including Deputy National Communications Officer Godwin Ako Gunn or party National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia.
“The President should have appointed somebody like Ako Gunn as one of the deputies or Asiedu Nketia, and let’s listen to what the NPP will say,” he stated.
Mr Koomson maintained that the allegations of an attempt to control the EC were unfounded, adding that President Mahama had no reason to manipulate an electoral process in which the ultimate decision rests with voters.
He also suggested that some political actors who currently hold power might seek the removal of the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, if given the opportunity to make such a decision.
His comments follow a public debate over President Mahama’s swearing-in of law lecturer Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and public policy and development expert Emilia Affi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission.
The appointments have generated political discussion, particularly over their implications for the independence and credibility of the Commission.
However, Mr Koomson insisted that Ghana’s democracy is functioning well under President Mahama’s leadership, rejecting claims that the country’s democratic credentials are under threat.
“Nobody can say that democracy is under threat in Ghana, and it’s never true. Rather, democracy has been on the high under the leadership of President Mahama,” he said.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#Romeowrites✍️)