The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on Emelia Affi Agbenyo to honourably resign as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), arguing that her documented political engagement with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) threatens public confidence in the institution’s neutrality.
The coalition insists that protecting the Commission’s credibility requires its leadership to inspire confidence in its impartiality, irrespective of the political party in government.
Referencing CODEO’s press statement, the co-chair, Rev. Dr Fred Degbee, explained that the call is rooted in the coalition’s longstanding position on partisan affiliations among electoral commissioners. He emphasised that the issue concerns public perception and the credibility of the electoral process, rather than Ms Agbenyo’s professional qualifications or technical competence.
“The call is on the lady, Ms. Emelia Affi Agbenyo, to honorably resign as the deputy chairperson of the commission in the interest of protecting public confidence and the commission’s impartiality.”
Dr Rev Fred Degbee
Dr Degbee emphasised that Ms Agbenyo’s own political activities distinguish her case from situations in which allegations of partisan allegiance rest primarily on public perception. The coalition’s statement identifies her as an “NDC governance-sector spokesperson during the 2024 election campaign” and cites social media posts supporting the party’s campaign and its presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama.
“But if you are going to be the umpire and if you are going to be part of the commission that will declare who is winning, who is losing, who is this and that, in an atmosphere that is so politically charged, it is only prudent that you are seen as impartial in your acts and in your deeds.”
Rev Dr Fred Degbee
According to the coalition, these activities raise questions about the public’s ability to regard the Deputy Chairperson as politically impartial while serving on an institution responsible for overseeing elections. Dr Degbee asserted that citizens must have confidence in the Commission’s leadership, particularly in Ghana’s politically charged electoral environment.
CODEO warned that public trust in the Electoral Commission reached historic lows in 2024 per Afrobarometer findings, calling the failure to reform presidential appointments “deeply disappointing and frustrating.”
The coalition has therefore entreated President Mahama to encourage Ms Agbenyo to resign, arguing that the standards he previously advocated for electoral appointments should apply under his administration. It also called for stronger safeguards to protect the Commission’s independence and restore public confidence in Ghana’s electoral governance.
CODEO Urges President Mahama To Honour Earlier Electoral Reform Pledge
Against the backdrop of renewed debate over appointments to the Electoral Commission (EC), the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has urged President John Dramani Mahama to honour his earlier calls for safeguards against partisan influence in the institution.
The coalition argues that the principles he advocated while in opposition should remain applicable under his own administration, particularly where public confidence in electoral independence is at stake.
Explaining CODEO’s position, the co-chair, Rev. Dr Fred Degbee, implored the President to demonstrate consistency between his previous pronouncements and his current exercise of constitutional authority.
He recalled that, in 2023, Mr Mahama criticised the appointment of people he described as “known party activists” to the Commission and called for constitutional reform to strengthen the appointment process.
“So the call on the president is just to be consistent. If you say when you come to office you won’t do it, so why are you doing it now?”
Rev. Dr Fred Degbee
Dr Degbee explained that CODEO’s advocacy for reform predates the present controversy, noting that the coalition has repeatedly called for broader consultation in the selection of EC members. He referenced earlier interventions concerning appointments made in 2014 and 2018, as well as CODEO’s 2023 call for the resignation of Dr Peter Appiahene over concerns about his alleged partisan affiliation with the New Patriotic Party.
The coalition argues that the appointment process should not be limited to presidential discretion and incorporate transparent procedures through which candidates can be assessed. Such reforms, it believes, would help insulate the Commission from partisan contestation and reinforce confidence in its decisions.
In addition, Dr Degbee called on the Council of State to develop a transparent process through which citizens can obtain information about how it discharges its constitutional responsibilities in advising on EC appointments. He argued that public scrutiny is necessary to establish whether concerns about candidates’ political affiliations were considered during the appointment process.
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