Political scientist, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante has criticised the appointment of Madam Emelia Affi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Madam Emelia Affi Agbenyo was sworn in on October 12, 2026, alongside her colleague, Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, as Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission.
The Political scientist argued that the appointment risks deepening doubts about the Commission’s neutrality at a time when it is already struggling to restore public confidence.
“But from look of things, it’s clear in my mind that her appointment is nothing but a political equalisation and business as usual.”
Dr Kwame Asah-Asante
Dr Asah-Asante acknowledged that Madam Agbenyo possesses the experience and professional credentials required for the position. However, he identified her perceived political associations as the principal difficulty, contending that an appointment to an institution responsible for administering elections must inspire confidence across the political divide.
Dr Asah-Asante reiterated that even decisions taken correctly by an official perceived to have partisan leanings could attract suspicion from political opponents. Such perceptions, he cautioned, could undermine the effectiveness of the appointee and complicate the EC’s efforts to establish itself as an impartial arbiter of electoral contests.
The political scientist consequently challenged the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to have prioritised political neutrality when selecting a candidate for the position.
Dr Asah-Asante invoked the principle that “two wrongs should not make a right”, arguing that alleged shortcomings in appointments made under a previous administration should not justify repeating similar decisions. In his assessment, the NDC could have used its opportunity to strengthen the EC’s reputation by selecting someone whose political neutrality is less likely to be questioned.
Nevertheless, he distinguished his reservations about the appointment from the appointee’s professional competence. Dr Asah-Asante acknowledged that Madam Agbenyo has progressed through the relevant professional ranks and is capable of performing the duties, but argued that her perceived political affiliations could overshadow those qualifications.
He also cautioned against compounding the Commission’s existing credibility challenges through appointments that generate avoidable controversy. According to the Political Scientist, the public perception surrounding the selection could become an obstacle to the institution’s work, irrespective of the appointee’s ability to discharge her responsibilities.
Political Scientist Urges New EC Deputies To Prioritise Neutrality
Political Scientist, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante also urged the Electoral Commission’s (EC) new Deputy Chairpersons to place impartiality and the public interest above political affiliations as they assume their responsibilities.
He warned that any attempt to favour a political party could further weaken public trust and provoke resistance from Ghanaians.
Dr Asah-Asante stated that Madam Emelia Affi Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah must work collectively with the EC Chairperson and other commissioners to deliver credible electoral outcomes. He stressed that their professional differences or political backgrounds should not interfere with the institution’s constitutional responsibilities.
“All that they have to do is that they deliver the public good and we expect nothing more, nothing less relative to that role.”
Dr Kwame Asah-Asante
The political scientist underscored the importance of conducting public business without personal affection, hostility or partisan attachment, drawing on the Latin expression sine ira et studio, meaning without anger or bias.
Dr Asah-Asante explained that the new deputies must recognise their shared obligation to serve the state, even where individual differences arise within the Commission. He cautioned that allowing disagreements or competing interests to influence their work could jeopardise the institution’s ability to fulfil its mandate.
Turning to accountability, the Political scientist identified the law and the Commission’s decisions as essential checks on the conduct of its officials. He argued that the requirement for neutrality must be demonstrated through their actions, particularly when decisions affect the interests of competing political parties.
Dr Asah-Asante recalled President John Dramani Mahama’s call for the EC to serve all political parties impartially and make decisions capable of standing the test of time. He stressed that officials who depart from this obligation must be prepared to face the consequences of failing to discharge their responsibilities appropriately.
The Political scientist also emphasised the centrality of elections to democratic governance, arguing that electoral officials must protect the process from partisan interference. He warned that any attempt to manipulate the institution’s work would undermine the public good and could trigger a strong reaction from citizens.
Meanwhile, Dr Asah-Asante acknowledged that the new deputies face a difficult task because public confidence in the Commission is already fragile. He urged them to concentrate on delivering credible outcomes and ensuring that the electoral process commands acceptance across the political divide.
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