Omanghana
Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has questioned the appointment of individuals with visible political affiliations to the Electoral Commission, calling for consistent standards regardless of which party holds power.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo program on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Pratt expressed concern about President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Commission.
He questioned why Ghana could not select qualified individuals without involvement in political parties’ manifesto teams, referring to Agbenyo’s reported role in the National Democratic Congress’s 2024 campaign preparations.
Pratt compared the controversy with the appointment of Dr Peter Appiahene to the Commission in 2023, which attracted criticism over alleged links to the New Patriotic Party. He argued that appointments by different administrations should be assessed against the same standards, with public confidence in the electoral body remaining the priority.
His comments come amid objections from the NPP, which has demanded the withdrawal of Agbenyo’s appointment. The opposition party contends that her previous political activities could undermine perceptions of neutrality ahead of the 2028 general elections.
NDC representatives have rejected that criticism. Guan MP Fred Agbenyo accused the NPP of double standards, citing appointments made under the previous Akufo-Addo administration.
Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah were sworn into office on October 12 to replace Dr Bossman Eric Asare and Samuel Tettey, who left the Commission through resignation and retirement respectively.
At the ceremony, Mahama instructed the new deputies to act independently and impartially, stressing that neither his government nor any political party should receive preferential treatment.
Source: Omanghana
