NPP urges Mahama to rescind Emelia Afi Agbenyo’s EC appointment

President John Mahama has sworn in Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC), triggering an immediate protest from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). The NPP has formally called for the withdrawal of Agbenyo’s appointment, alleging that her history as an active campaigner for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) fundamentally compromises her impartiality. The opposition warns that her presence on the commission undermines public confidence in the electoral system as the country prepares for the 2028 general elections.

NPP National Communications Director Dennis Miracles Aboagye argued that Agbenyo’s ties to the ruling party are well-documented, claiming that no current commissioner has as much visible evidence of partisan bias. The NPP criticized the Council of State for failing to identify these connections during the vetting process and suggested that legal action may be taken to challenge the appointment. The party maintains that the independence of the EC is at risk if individuals with deep political loyalties are permitted to oversee national polls, particularly during high-stakes disputes between the major parties.

In response, government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu defended the appointments as a necessary ‘reset’ to correct a partisan imbalance he claims was established by the previous administration. Ofosu argued that the EC had been ‘packed’ with NPP-aligned members during the presidency of Nana Akufo-Addo, and that Agbenyo’s appointment is intended to ‘tilt the balance’ back toward a more representative commission. While acknowledging Agbenyo’s NDC associations, Ofosu asserted that she would discharge her duties professionally, accusing the NPP of double standards for supporting similar partisan appointments in the past.

The controversy has sparked broader calls for constitutional reform from civil society and other political actors. Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, a fellow at CDD-Ghana, warned that without meaningful changes to the appointment process, the cycle of partisan placements in independent bodies will persist under every change of government. He advocated for the use of an ‘Akufo-Addo test’—referencing standards of integrity and fairness once championed by the former president—to evaluate EC officials. Additionally, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) condemned the government’s justification for the appointment, calling for a bipartisan inquiry to protect the commission’s credibility.

As the new deputies assume their roles, experts such as Professor Joseph Atsu Ayee have urged them to focus on rebuilding the EC’s public image and maintaining a healthy relationship with all political parties through the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC). Election Watch Ghana has also called for a more transparent, merit-based selection process to insulate the commission from executive influence. The resolution of this dispute is seen as critical for ensuring that the EC remains a trusted arbiter of Ghana’s democratic processes ahead of future electoral cycles.