Senyo Hosi, convenor of the One Ghana Movement and a policy analyst, called President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission one of his biggest disappointments with the administration.
Mahama also appointed Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah to the same position. Ms. Agbenyo, who previously served as an NDC manifesto spokesperson and Director of Legal Affairs for the party’s Women’s Wing, has drawn criticism from the New Patriotic Party, which has urged the government to withdraw her appointment.
Mr. Hosi said the appointment raised concerns about the perceived independence of the electoral management body, particularly given Ms. Agbenyo’s former role as a spokesperson for the National Democratic Congress 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 clarified that his objection was not about Ms. Agbenyo’s professional ability but about protecting 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 be evident not only in law but also 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 added.
Mr. Hosi rejected the argument by Minister of State for 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. Ofosu’s role, Mr. Hosi urged the government to consider how the appointment could affect confidence in the electoral commission. He said the administration’s commitment to governance reform made the decision particularly disappointing to him.
