Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on October 12 of undermining Ghana’s democracy by appointing Emelia Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC). Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, Aboagye questioned her impartiality, citing her alleged close ties to the NDC.
“This lady is not just an advocate of the NDC. In fact, he is a die-in-the-wool NDC, even more NDC than Rashid Tanko himself,” Aboagye said. He pointed to Agbenyo’s past role as a special assistant to Honourable Ayariga during his tenure as Deputy Education Minister in the John Mahama administration’s first term. Aboagye argued this political background compromised the neutrality required of EC officials.
Aboagye further noted Agbenyo currently holds a “partisan political appointment,” adding that her public support for John Mahama during the 2020 and 2024 election campaigns raised “questions about her suitability for a position requiring independence.” He said, “This is a lady that is being sold to us as somebody that can independently bear the affairs of our election, except a person who has openly taken sides.”
The NPP official framed the NDC’s decision as a threat to democratic principles of neutrality and accountability, which he said are essential for the Electoral Commission. “It’s a shame how low they are sinking this democracy that we’ve all been fighting for and working towards its growth,” he added.
Aboagye questioned why the NDC would nominate someone whose political history, in his view, could damage public confidence in the EC. He said the appointment could affect perceptions of the Commission’s impartiality, insisting “individuals appointed to oversee elections must be seen to be independent of partisan interests.”
The controversy around Agbenyo’s appointment has sparked debate about whether her previous political roles align with the expected neutrality of a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission. Critics argue that any hint of partisanship in such a position threatens the fairness of Ghana’s electoral process.
Emelia Agbenyo’s appointment follows a period of heightened scrutiny over the independence of Ghana’s electoral body. The Electoral Commission plays a central role in administering elections, and public trust in its impartiality is often tested during closely contested polls.
No official response from the National Democratic Congress or Emelia Agbenyo was available at the time of publication. The NPP’s public criticism adds to ongoing tensions between Ghana’s main political parties as they prepare for upcoming elections.
The debate over Agbenyo’s appointment raises questions about how political affiliations influence key state institutions in Ghana’s democracy.
According to Joy Online.
