Dr Razak Kojo Opoku, a strategic figure of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), has questioned the basis for opposing President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Affi Agbenyo to the Electoral Commission (EC).
Dr Opoku argued that it would be difficult to morally justify opposing Ms Agbenyo’s appointment without applying the same standard to the appointment of Dr Peter Appiahene, who has also served on the electoral management body.
“If he could not attack the appointment of Dr Peter Appiahene, what moral right do I have to oppose the appointment of Emelia Affi Agbenyo?” he questioned.
He suggested that the two appointments could be viewed as an attempt to balance political representation within the Electoral Commission, describing Dr Appiahene as representing the NPP and Ms Agbenyo as representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dr Opoku, however, stressed that the key concern should be whether the commissioners would discharge their responsibilities professionally rather than the political affiliations attributed to them.
He maintained that if both appointees performed their duties professionally and in accordance with their mandate, their appointments should not be a cause for alarm.
His comments come amid discussions about political neutrality and public confidence in Ghana’s Electoral Commission, which is responsible for organising and supervising elections in the country.
The debate over appointments to the Commission has often centred on the need to safeguard its independence and ensure that its members act impartially in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
