Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has highlighted the competence and integrity of Emelia Affi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, despite expressing reservations about her appointment due to her affiliation with the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Among those criticised in the NDC over her appointment is Mr Ablakwa, who in the past condemned the appointment of some EC commissioners perceived to be aligned with the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 17, Mr Ablakwa admitted that the appointment doesn’t bode well for the optics, and that people referencing the NDC’s position in the past can do so legitimately.
Nonetheless, Mr Ablakwa said he could vouch for the independence, integrity and competence of the new Deputy Chair.
“I have to emphasise that I have known Madam Affi Agbenyo since my student activism days; many student leaders know her. She is very independent, fearless, and when she makes up her mind, you cannot… She was SRC Secretary. In terms of her competence, in terms of love for country and the fact that she will not engage in blatant bias, it breaks my heart that she is put in this storm. I am not taking anything away from her competence, and the fact that she can do the job and she is a woman of integrity,” the Minister said.
The swearing-in of 43-year-old Emelia Affi Agbenyo has stoked controversy.
The young international development cooperation professional is on record as having served as a spokesperson for the NDC on governance in the 2024 general elections.
Since her appointment, social media has been awash with some posts she made in the past that were deemed political in support of the NDC. A video of her speaking on a media platform as a representative of the NDC has also gone viral.
As a result, many have questioned her independence and neutrality in such a sensitive office. For many of the critics, the NDC has acted hypocritically, considering it criticised the then New Patriotic Party administration for similar appointments.
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