Professor Jonathan Asante Otchere, a political analyst, blasted the Council of State for failing to alert President John Dramani Mahama about concerns surrounding Emelia Affi Agbenyo’s appointment as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC). The criticism came after the council’s decision to appoint Agbenyo, whose alleged ties to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) sparked public scrutiny.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, October 17, Prof. Otchere said the council should have provided the president with relevant information during the appointment process to help prevent the controversy. “The Council of State has disappointed the President,” he said. “They should probably have informed him of the person’s background.”
Agbenyo was sworn in alongside Dr. Joseph Kweku Asamoah as a Deputy Chairperson of the EC on October 12. Critics argue that her political background could undermine the Commission’s perceived neutrality. Prof. Otchere argued that the president could have considered other individuals sympathetic to the NDC but without publicly known political affiliations that could trigger questions about impartiality.
The analyst described the controversy as unnecessary pressure on the president, noting that the appointment had generated a backlash that could have been avoided through a more careful selection process. He called for a review of the process for appointing officials to the Electoral Commission, proposing that Ghana consider alternative mechanisms to strengthen confidence in the independence of the electoral management body.
Prof. Otchere maintained that the selection of EC officials should prioritise public confidence in the Commission’s neutrality to prevent political controversy from shadowing its constitutional responsibilities. The debate highlights ongoing concerns about the independence of Ghana’s electoral institutions.
