Convenor of the One Ghana Movement and policy analyst Senyo Hosi has described President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) as one of his biggest disappointments with the administration.
President Mahama appointed Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission.
Ms Agbenyo previously served as an NDC manifesto spokesperson and as Director of Legal Affairs for the party’s Women’s Wing. Her appointment has drawn criticism from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has called for it to be withdrawn.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu has defended the appointments, arguing that a reset could include balancing state institutions he considers to have been unevenly constituted under the previous administration.
The debate has centred on how the EC’s leadership appointments may affect perceptions of the commission’s political neutrality and independence.
Mr Hosi said the appointment raised concerns about the perceived independence of the electoral management body, particularly given Ms Agbenyo’s previous role as a spokesperson for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto.
He stressed that his criticism was not driven by hostility towards the President, whom he said he liked and respected.
“Having said that, this is one of two disappointments I have in the Mahama presidency. I like and I love Mahama. I have to be clear about that,” he said.
“Because of the tone of the governance that we saw, this is one of my biggest disappointments. Honestly.”
Mr Hosi said his objection was not about Ms Agbenyo’s professional ability, but about the need to protect the EC’s independence and public confidence in its neutrality.
“The woman’s competence is not the problem. No, it isn’t. Because that’s not being a matter. Article 46 is about the independence of our electoral commissions,” he said.
He argued that independence must not only be guaranteed in law but must also be evident in how the institution is constituted and perceived by the public.
“The condition of independence is not just a legal position. It’s something that must be manifestly seen to be delivered,” he said.
Mr Hosi also rejected the argument by Minister of State in charge of Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu that a reset of state institutions could involve balancing what the government considers to be a lopsided structure.
“Felix, we voted for a reset. We didn’t vote for equalization. We didn’t vote for tilting,” he said.
While acknowledging the demands of Mr Kwakye Ofosu’s role, Mr Hosi urged the government to consider how the appointment could affect confidence in the electoral commission.
He spoke on TV3.
He said the administration’s commitment to governance reform made the decision particularly disappointing to him.