CDD-Ghana calls for Emelia Afi Agbenyo to resign from Electoral Commission

The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has urged President John Dramani Mahama to advise the newly appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Emelia Afi Agbenyo, to resign. The call follows Agbenyo’s swearing-in on October 12, 2025, an event that has sparked intense debate over the political neutrality of the commission. Critics, led by CDD-Ghana’s Programmes Manager Paul Aborampah Mensah, argue that Agbenyo’s alleged ties to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) could undermine public confidence in the electoral system and the independence of state institutions.

Opposition members and political analysts have expressed concern that the appointment sets a dangerous precedent. Kamaldeen Abdulai of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) warned that making partisan appointments to the EC could lead to a cycle of retaliatory replacements whenever a new government takes office, effectively turning the commission into a political entity. Furthermore, Ms. Akosua Manu, an adviser on Gender and Social Protection, pointed out what she described as the NDC’s inconsistency, noting that the party had previously condemned similar politically affiliated appointments made under the prior administration. Even within the government, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa admitted that while he believes Agbenyo possesses the required integrity and competence, the "optics" of the appointment are problematic given her history as an NDC spokesperson.

Defenders of the appointment, including NDC Communications Team member Hamza Suhuyini, maintain that the selection process was thorough and well-calculated. Suhuyini stated that Agbenyo was chosen from a pool of candidates after rigorous interviews and that her appointment, advised by the Council of State, was intended to ensure balance and professional skill within the EC. However, some analysts, such as Professor Jonathan Asante Otchere, argued that the Council of State failed the President by not providing a more comprehensive background check that could have avoided the current public scrutiny. He suggested that the controversy has placed unnecessary pressure on President Mahama.

Legal practitioner Victoria Bright offered a more nuanced perspective, cautioning that calling for a single member's resignation might be excessive. She argued that if past political affiliations are used as a disqualifier, many current commissioners across different administrations could face similar scrutiny. Bright instead advocated for a broader, consistent review of the appointment process to ensure that the EC commands public trust regardless of which party is in power. Other academic voices, including Professor Jonathan Asante from the University of Cape Coast, have echoed these calls for reform, suggesting that commissioners should be elected or selected through the Public Services Commission to remove them from direct executive influence.