EC Appointments: Mahama’s U-Turn Sparks Controversy

President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of a former National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign spokesperson as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) has brought his previous criticisms of politically exposed individuals serving on the Commission back into sharp focus.

While in opposition, Mr Mahama strongly criticised former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for appointing individuals with alleged political affiliations to the EC, particularly Dr Peter Appiahene, whose appointment in 2023 attracted controversy over his reported association with the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

President Mahama has also appointed Emelia Afi Agbenyo, who served as a governance spokesperson during the NDC’s 2024 election campaign, to one of the Commission’s highest offices.

The development raises questions about whether the President is applying the same standards of political neutrality he demanded of his predecessor.

Mahama’s criticism of Appiahene

In March 2023, then opposition leader John Dramani Mahama criticised the Akufo-Addo administration over the appointment of Dr Peter Appiahene and two other members to the Electoral Commission.

Dr Appiahene’s appointment became particularly controversial following reports linking him to the NPP, including his alleged role as a patron of the party’s Tertiary Education Students Confederacy (TESCON) at the University of Energy and Natural Resources.

Mr Mahama questioned the wisdom of appointing individuals with known political associations to an independent constitutional body responsible for conducting elections.

He described such appointees as politically exposed individuals and questioned whether they could discharge their responsibilities impartially.

Speaking at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on March 22, 2023 Mr Mahama criticised the appointment of persons perceived to be associated with the governing party to the Commission.

He subsequently advocated an amendment to Article 43(2) of the 1992 Constitution to introduce parliamentary approval of EC Commissioners as an additional safeguard against partisan appointments.

The NDC also petitioned the Council of State over the appointments of Dr Appiahene and Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani, citing concerns about their alleged political affiliations.

Mr Mahama maintained that the credibility of the Electoral Commission depended on the independence and perceived neutrality of its leadership.

In opposition, Mr Mahama and the NDC frequently engaged the diplomatic corps, international missions (such as European Union ambassadors) and civil/religious bodies to express strong reservations about the independence and neutrality of the EC, under the Akufo-Addo administration.

Three years later, his own appointment of a former NDC campaign spokesperson to the Commission’s leadership has revived the very concerns he raised while in opposition.

Agbenyo’s NDC Connection

On Monday, October 12, 2026 President Mahama swore in Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah as Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission.

The appointments were made pursuant to Article 70(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which provides for the appointment of the EC Chairperson, Deputy Chairpersons and other members by the President, acting on the advice of the Council of State.

Information available to The Chronicle indicates that Ms Agbenyo served as a Spokesperson on governance, during the NDC’s campaign for the 2024 general elections.

She was associated with the party’s Manifesto Committee on Governance and reportedly participated in activities connected with the 2020 and 2024 election campaigns.

Although there is no evidence available to The Chronicle establishing that she held an official position within the NDC’s organisational structure or was a registered party member, her involvement in the party’s election campaign raises questions about perception of political neutrality.

Before her appointment, Ms Agbenyo worked as a gender advocate, technical adviser and gender analyst with GIZ Ghana. She also served as Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations at the Ghana TVET Service.

Her professional experience notwithstanding, the central political question is whether her previous involvement in the NDC’s campaign is materially different from the political associations President Mahama criticised when Dr Appiahene was appointed.

No Preferential Treatment

Interestingly, President Mahama used Monday’s swearing-in ceremony to caution the two Deputy Chairpersons against partisan conduct, insisting that the Electoral Commission must not favour his administration, the governing NDC or any other political party.

He charged them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities with impartiality, fairness and strict adherence to the law.

“Your duty is to the Republic of Ghana and its people. You must discharge your responsibilities without favour towards any political party, any candidate or government,” President Mahama said.

“As President, I expect no preferential treatment from the Electoral Commission for myself, my party or my government. I expect an institution that applies the same standards to everyone and protects Ghanaians’ right to choose their leaders freely.”

The President emphasised that the Commission’s independence was essential to protecting the integrity of Ghana’s electoral processes and maintaining public confidence in democratic governance.

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