Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has acknowledged concerns about Emelia Affi Agbenyo’s appointment as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission as a result of her parisan leaning to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr Ablakwa said the optics surrounding the appointment were unfavourable and that he would have preferred a different situation.
“She [Affi Agbenyo] is a woman of integrity, but the optics don’t look good. I have always maintained that let us have very neutral, independent architects appointed to the EC,” he said.
He nevertheless defended Ms Agbenyo’s suitability for the role, describing her as a competent woman of impeccable integrity.
His remarks followed criticism from the Minority and some members of the public over her association with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), which has prompted questions about her ability to act impartially.
Ms Agbenyo served as an NDC spokesperson on governance during the 2024 election campaign. The opposition New Patriotic Party has called for her appointment to be withdrawn, citing concerns about the Electoral Commission’s neutrality.
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The swearing-in of 43-year-old Emelia Affi Agbenyo has stoked controversy following her affiliation with the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC).
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.