Convener of the One Ghana Movement and policy analyst, Senyo Hosi, has described President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) as one of his biggest disappointments with the administration, warning that the decision could undermine public confidence in the independence of the electoral management body.
Mr Hosi said his concern was not about Ms Agbenyo’s professional competence, but the need to ensure that the EC’s independence was not only guaranteed by law but also evident in the composition of its leadership and the public perception of its neutrality.
President Mahama appointed Ms Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as Deputy Chairpersons of the EC. Ms Agbenyo previously served as a spokesperson for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto and as Director of Legal Affairs for the party’s Women’s Wing.
She also actively campaigned for the NDC, with evidence of her political activities appearing on her social media pages.
The appointments have attracted criticism from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and other political observers, who have called for Ms Agbenyo’s appointment to be withdrawn.
Speaking on the controversy, Mr Hosi stressed that his criticism should not be interpreted as hostility towards President Mahama, whom he said he liked and respected.
“Having said that, this is one of two disappointments I have in the Mahama presidency. I like and I love Mahama. I have to be clear about that,” he said.
“Because of the tone of the governance that we saw, this is one of my biggest disappointments. Honestly.”
Mr Hosi argued that the appointment raised questions about the government’s commitment to the governance reforms it promised, particularly the need to preserve confidence in institutions responsible for overseeing elections.
“The woman’s competence is not the problem. No, it isn’t. Because that’s not being a matter. Article 46 is about the independence of our electoral commissions,” he said.
Article 46 of the 1992 Constitution provides that, in the performance of their functions, the Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.
Mr Hosi said the principle of independence should extend beyond constitutional provisions to how the institution is constituted and perceived by the public.
“The condition of independence is not just a legal position. It’s something that must be manifestly seen to be delivered,” he said.
He maintained that public confidence in the EC was essential to the credibility of elections and that appointments to its leadership should be assessed not only on the qualifications of individuals but also on their potential implications for the commission’s perceived political neutrality.
Rejects government’s defence
Mr Hosi also rejected the defence offered by the government’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who has argued that the administration’s reset agenda could involve balancing state institutions that it considers to have been unevenly constituted under the previous government.
Mr Hosi said the government’s electoral mandate should not be interpreted as permission to reproduce perceived political imbalances within independent institutions.
“Felix, we voted for a reset. We didn’t vote for equalization. We didn’t vote for tilting,” he said.
He argued that the NDC, while in opposition, had criticised appointments to the EC involving individuals it considered sympathetic to the NPP.
In his view, the current controversy raises questions about whether the governing party is applying the same principles it advocated before assuming office.
The debate has consequently centred on the distinction between correcting perceived imbalances in state institutions and preserving the independence and impartiality expected of constitutional bodies.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu’s defence reflects the government’s position that a reset may require addressing what it regards as an uneven institutional composition under the previous administration. Critics, however, argue that appointments to the EC should be guided primarily by the need to protect its independence and public credibility.
Mr Hosi acknowledged the demands of the government spokesperson’s role but urged the administration to consider the broader implications of the appointment for public trust.
He said the decision was particularly disappointing because of the expectations surrounding the government’s commitment to reforming governance and strengthening public institutions.
The controversy has renewed scrutiny of the standards that should guide appointments to the EC, especially given the commission’s central role in administering elections and sustaining confidence in Ghana’s democratic process.
