Mark Awusi Arkoh, Executive Director of Election Watch, has rejected calls for Electoral Commission (EC) Deputy Commissioner Emelia Agbenyor to resign, arguing that such demands lack constitutional backing.
In a phone interview on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, he maintained that no individual, including the President, can exert pressure on Emelia to resign outside the constitutional procedures governing her position.
Awusi, in his comments, expressed disagreement with the position attributed to the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) regarding calls for Emelia’s resignation, despite acknowledging the organisation’s contributions to Ghana’s electoral processes over the years.
According to Awusi, CODEO’s call for Emelia’s resignation is unconstitutional and lacks ethical grounds.
He cautioned that allowing civil society organisations to mount pressure on the Electoral Commission to terminate an official’s appointment could undermine the independence of the institution.
“Until we make reforms to our Constitution, no one can mount pressure on Emelia to resign, not even the President,” he argued.
The Election Watch Executive Director also addressed concerns surrounding Emelia’s alleged political affiliation, referencing the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574).
He noted that the NDC had reportedly confirmed that the woman in question was a sympathiser of the party, but stressed that being a sympathiser does not necessarily mean someone is a registered member.
He further argued that appearing on a political platform or making a political statement does not automatically establish a person’s status as a card-bearing member of a political party.
Rather than demanding her resignation, Awusi suggested that those questioning Emelia’s political affiliation should pursue the appropriate constitutional and legal procedures.
He proposed that concerned parties could challenge her alleged affiliation with the NDC and petition the President for the matter to be addressed through the appropriate constitutional process.
He also referenced Article 146(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana discussing the constitutional framework governing the removal of certain public officers.
Awusi further argued that allowing political actors or civil society organisations to dictate the removal of an Electoral Commission official could set a troubling precedent for institutional independence.
He urged those calling for Emelia’s resignation to respect the constitutional framework and allow due process to take its course.
The controversy has renewed discussions about political affiliations, public confidence in Ghana’s Electoral Commission and the constitutional safeguards governing the appointment and removal of public officials.
