Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has urged President Nana Akufo Addo to withdraw the appointment of a known member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), as a Commissioner of the Electoral Commission.
On Monday, President Akufo-Addo swore in Dr. Peter Appiahene, Salima Ahmed Tijani, and Rev Akua Ofori Boateng, as new members of the commission. But pictures have since gone viral alleging in particular, Dr. Peter Appiahene as a patron of the NPP’s tertiary institutions wing, TESCON, specifically at the University of Energy and Natural Resources.
Many, including the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana, have expressed misgivings over the appointment of Dr. Appiahene, who was at one time tipped to be a Regional Minister.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Dr. Asa Asante, argued that the development does not augur well for confidence in the EC to be a fair arbiter.
“The Electoral Commission is a body, which by law and by practice must be a neutral arbiter of electoral issues. So, for that reason, if somebody is politically exposed, he should not be there. Even if he or she is appointed, the appointing authority can take a second look and withdraw that person because for elections to be free and fair, the electoral body must be neutral at all times and create a neutral enabling environment for all parties and political actors to act on that political sphere.
“On that basis, any action taken by an appointing authority that has something to undermine the credibility of the EC, obviously flies in the face of the work of the EC.”
Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante
He added: “So, I believe that this particular appointment given the evidence that is coming out now, it is important that Mr. President will take a second look at this appointment and withdraw the person. Because from the word go, it will create a whole lot of problems for the EC. The commission itself has over the years been suffering from a lot of concerns from political parties, particularly the NDC.”
What Is Wrong With Akufo-Addo Appointing NPP Members As Electoral Commissioners?
However, Nana Obiri Boahen, a former deputy general-secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has refuted assertions that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has done wrong by appointing card-bearing members of the party, as commissioners of the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
According to him, Akufo-Addo has done no wrong because nowhere in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana is it stated that the President cannot appoint members of his political party, as members of the EC.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Lawyer Obiri Boahen added that the constitution mandates the President to fill positions in his government, with people who are competent irrespective of their political affiliations.
“The president is acting according to what the constitution says. NDC members are saying that the new commissioners have (NPP) party cards. Even if it is the truth, go through the constitution, is there a disqualification based on party cards?
“What is wrong with them being card-bearing members of the NPP? The constitution only gives the President the power to appoint, it says nothing about disqualification of people affiliated to certain political parties.”
Nana Obiri Boahen
Obiri Boahen urged the public not to take the objection being raised by the members of the NDC on the newly appointed EC members seriously because the NDC as a party, has decided to paint any action taken by the Akufo-Addo-government black.
He added that the NDC should rather focus on ensuring that they will be able to collate their election results, rather than crying foul, always on issues surrounding the EC.
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