NPP’s Dennis Miracles Aboagye questions Mahama’s EC appointment

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), questioning her political neutrality.

Mr Aboagye alleged that the President and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) had selected one of their party members for the position, describing the appointment as embarrassing.

“It’s a shame that we have a government that doesn’t even see how embarrassing it is. They simply go into their party database and pick one of their political operatives and appoint her as a Deputy EC Chair,” he said.

However, the NDC’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Rashid Tanko Computer, has defended the appointment, insisting that Ms Agbenyo is qualified for the role.

“She is even supposed to be the Commissioner but not a Deputy because she is very much qualified,” he said.

Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Asah-Asante, said individuals appointed to the Electoral Commission must demonstrate impartiality and remain above partisan interests.

He warned that appointing individuals perceived as loyal to a political party could undermine confidence in the Commission.

“The people we need are people above board and not people that are partisan. If it is the case that [Emelia Afi Agbenyo] is an NDC sympathiser or faithful, then we have a problem on our hands,” he said.

The comments follow concerns raised over Ms Agbenyo’s appointment, given her known association with the NDC.

Meanwhile, President Mahama has urged the two newly appointed Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission, Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, to perform their duties fairly and without political bias.

The President gave the directive during their swearing-in ceremony on Monday, October 12, 2026, stressing that their primary responsibility was to the people of Ghana rather than any political party.

He said he expected no preferential treatment for himself, his government or the NDC, and urged the appointees to ensure that every eligible citizen could participate in the electoral process and that every valid vote reflected the will of the people.

“Ensure that every eligible citizen can participate in our electoral process and that every valid vote counts and reflects the will of the people.

“The duty is to the people of Ghana and its people. Discharge your duty without favouring any candidate or party. I expect no preferential treatment for myself, my government and party,” President Mahama said.

The appointments fill vacancies created by the resignation of Dr Bossman Asare and the retirement of Samuel Tettey, strengthening the Commission’s leadership as it prepares to carry out its electoral responsibilities.

Dr Bossman Asare, who was responsible for Corporate Affairs, resigned effective July 31, 2026, to return to academia at the University of Ghana. Mr Tettey, the former Deputy Chairperson in charge of Operations, retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age.

Ms Agbenyo previously served as Deputy Director of Operations at the Ghana TVET Service.

Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, a law lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), previously held several senior positions at the Electoral Commission, including Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre and Head of Audit.

By Esther Padmore Amonoo