Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe, Emelia Affi Agbenyo
The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) have called for the resignation of the Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Emelia Affi Agbenyo, over her affiliation with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking in an interview on Eyewitness News on Friday, CDD-Ghana’s Programmes Manager, Paul Aborampah Mensah, urged President John Mahama to advise Emelia Agbenyo to resign, stating that failure to address the concerns about her political affiliation could undermine public confidence in the country’s election management system.
“What we are demanding now is that perhaps the President did not recognise the impact of the appointment he was making. Now that it has been realised publicly, he can advise the lady to resign, or the lady, on moral grounds, can herself resign.
“We don’t want a situation where after every change of government our institutions are affected. That’s what we need to avoid as a country,” he stated.
He stressed the need to protect the independence of state institutions, adding that a change in government should not routinely affect leadership and operations of key national institutions.
He, therefore, cautioned that the continued politicisation of electoral management could have serious consequences for the country’s democratic processes.
Mr. Aborampah added that if the state fails to adhere to public concerns on the appointment, it may not augur well for the country in managing elections.
In a related development, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) called for the resignation of the Deputy EC chair, citing her political activities in support of the NDC prior to the 2024 elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 15, 2026, CODEO said though it recognised the president’s constitutional authority to appoint whoever he wanted, Emelia Affi Agbenyo’s appointment may affect the credibility of the Electoral Commission as a result of her affiliation with the NDC.
“The integrity of the Electoral Commission depends not only on the actual neutrality of its commissioners, but on the public’s absolute confidence in that neutrality,” it said.
CODEO also mentioned the role played by Emelia Agbenyo when she was assigned to then opposition NDC’s team of manifesto spokespersons in August 2024.
CODEO stated that the appointment was inconsistent with concerns previously expressed by Mahama himself over the selection of individuals with perceived political affiliations to serve on the Electoral Commission.
It said in 2023, President Mahama, while in opposition, criticised the appointment of individuals he described as known party activists to the Commission and called for an amendment to Article 43(2) of the Constitution for parliamentary approval before such appointments are made.
CODEO stated that it similarly opposed the appointment of Dr. Peter Appiahene to the Commission in 2023 over same concerns about his alleged affiliation with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
It, however, noted that “The principles he advocated in 2023 must be applied consistently while in government.”
CODEO added that it does not have issues with Madam Agbenyo’s professional competence but the impact of her affiliation with the ruling NDC and public perceptions of her neutrality at the EC.
“The independence of the Electoral Commission must be protected not only by constitutional provisions but also by a clear commitment of the political class to an independent and impartial electoral management body,” it added.
Though President Mahama, at the swearing-in ceremony, urged the newly appointed deputy chairpersons to be impartial and protect the rights of citizens in the discharge of their duties, many Ghanaians have described the appointment of Madam Emelia Affi Agbenyo as a political reward handed to a party person.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah