The Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, has urged authorities to prioritise integrity, competence and professionalism in the appointment of successors to the Electoral Commission’s Deputy Chairperson in charge of Corporate Affairs, Dr. Bossman Asare, and Deputy Chairperson in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey.
According to him, prospective appointees must be individuals of unquestionable integrity who can leave a lasting legacy in the country’s democratic development.
Speaking to Citi News on Wednesday, June 17, Dr. Akwetey stressed that the appointments should be guided by the need to strengthen Ghana’s democratic institutions rather than partisan considerations.
“They must be people of integrity and good character. They should think about the legacy they want to leave and the mark they will make on Ghana’s democracy,” he said.
Dr. Akwetey noted that elections remain a significant challenge across many African countries and therefore Ghana must continue to protect the credibility of its electoral system through the appointment of qualified and non-partisan officials.
He cautioned against allowing political affiliations to influence appointments to key positions within independent state institutions, emphasizing that public service institutions must remain neutral and professional.
“These institutions are expected to be non-partisan. We should be looking for competent and qualified people with integrity, individuals who can help deliver peaceful and credible elections,” he stated.
The IDEG Executive Director further observed that Ghana’s democracy is operating in a highly polarised political environment, making it even more important for election management bodies to remain above partisan interests.
He stressed that while political divisions exist, many Ghanaians possess the integrity and commitment needed to serve the nation beyond party considerations.
“We should always stay above the polarization. Ghana is a politically polarized country, but that does not mean people do not have integrity or good reasons for serving beyond partisan politics,” Dr. Akwetey added.
His remarks come amid discussions about the future leadership of the Electoral Commission and the need to safeguard public confidence in the country’s electoral processes ahead of future elections.