The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has urged President John Dramani Mahama to advise Electoral Commission Deputy Chairperson Emelia Afi Agbenyo to resign following concerns about her alleged affiliation with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The organisation’s Programmes Manager, Paul Aborampah Mensah, said the concerns surrounding Mrs Agbenyo’s appointment could affect public confidence in the Electoral Commission if they are not addressed.
Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr Mensah suggested that the President should reconsider the implications of the appointment and encourage the deputy chairperson to step aside.
“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,” he said.
Mr Mensah maintained that protecting the independence of state institutions must remain a priority, particularly institutions responsible for managing elections.
He warned against allowing changes in political leadership to influence the administration of key national institutions, stressing that such a trend could threaten Ghana’s democratic development.
The call follows the swearing-in of Mrs Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah as Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission by President Mahama on October 12.
The appointments have attracted scrutiny over allegations concerning Mrs Agbenyo’s political affiliation and questions about how such concerns relate to the Electoral Commission’s obligation to operate impartially.
At the swearing-in ceremony, President Mahama urged the newly appointed deputy chairpersons to uphold the principles of impartiality and protect the right of citizens to freely choose their leaders.
The debate has placed renewed focus on the importance of public trust, institutional independence and the perceived neutrality of officials tasked with overseeing Ghana’s elections.
