President Mahama Charges New Electoral Commission Deputy Chairpersons to Uphold Impartiality

Share on Twitter President John Dramani Mahama has charged the newly sworn-in Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Ms. Emilia Afi Agbenyo, to discharge their duties with impartiality, transparency and fairness to safeguard Ghana’s democratic process.

He said the credibility of the country’s electoral system depended largely on the integrity, competence and fairness of the Electoral Commission, urging the two officials to place the national interest above partisan considerations.

Speaking at their swearing-in ceremony, President Mahama congratulated the appointees and reminded them of the enormous responsibility entrusted to them in an institution central to the country’s democratic governance.

“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,” he stated.

The President emphasised that the authority accompanying their offices must be exercised with fairness, restraint and strict adherence to the law.

“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,” he said.

He further urged the new Deputy Chairpersons to demonstrate courage in upholding the law, even when their decisions might be inconvenient to political actors or other stakeholders.

President Mahama stressed that public trust in the Electoral Commission must be earned through consistent conduct, transparent decision-making and timely responses to concerns raised by citizens and stakeholders.

He encouraged the appointees to make transparency and constructive engagement central to their work by listening to political parties, civil society organisations, the media and the general public.

“Where their concerns are well-founded, address them. Where the information is inaccurate, provide clear facts, and where mistakes occur, acknowledge those mistakes and correct them promptly,” he advised.

According to him, citizens who seek clarification on electoral processes deserve respectful and timely answers, adding that constructive engagement would strengthen both the Commission and Ghana’s democracy.

He noted that credible elections required sustained preparation long before polling day, including accurate record-keeping, well-trained electoral officials, reliable logistics, secure systems and effective management of public resources.

The President therefore called on the new Deputy Chairpersons to work closely with fellow Commissioners and staff of the Commission to promote professionalism, consistent standards and a working culture that identifies and resolves problems promptly.

President Mahama also highlighted the need for the Electoral Commission to ensure that electoral processes were accessible to all eligible voters, particularly persons with disabilities, older citizens, women, young people and residents of remote communities.

He said the Commission’s effectiveness should be measured partly by its ability to serve citizens who might otherwise face barriers to participating in elections.

“Technology should improve the reliability and accessibility of our electoral processes. Proper testing, appropriate safeguards, and clear communication to the public must support its use,” he stated.

He added that practical measures must be put in place to ensure that every eligible citizen could participate in elections with dignity and confidence.

The President urged the Commission to pay particular attention to the needs of vulnerable groups and ensure that physical, social or communication barriers did not prevent eligible citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.

President Mahama said the professional backgrounds of the two appointees offered complementary strengths that could contribute to improving the Commission’s operations.

He described Mr. Asamoah as bringing valuable legal, financial and electoral expertise to the position, drawing on his experience as a lawyer, chartered accountant and economist.

He also highlighted Mr. Asamoah’s service within the Commission in areas including audit, finance, training, election administration, resource management and the professional development of electoral officers.

The President encouraged him to use that experience to strengthen institutional systems, improve the preparation of electoral personnel and promote prudent management of public resources.

On Ms. Agbenyo, President Mahama highlighted her extensive experience in public administration, institutional leadership, development cooperation and stakeholder engagement.

He noted that her leadership at the Ghana TVET Service had involved coordinating nationwide operations, supporting policy implementation and working with institutions and partners to achieve results.

He said her experience in gender inclusion, disability inclusion and creating opportunities for vulnerable groups was particularly relevant to the work of the Electoral Commission. “Together, your two backgrounds offer complementary strengths.

The task ahead is to translate those strengths into diligent, impartial, and effective service,” he said.

Government pledges support for EC independence

The President reiterated that safeguarding the integrity of elections was a shared national responsibility requiring cooperation among political parties, citizens, the media, security agencies and the Electoral Commission.

He called on political parties to act responsibly, citizens to reject intimidation and electoral violence, and the media to verify information before publication.

He also urged the security services to perform their duties professionally and impartially to help maintain confidence in the electoral process.

President Mahama assured the Commission that his government would provide the necessary support for it to fulfil its mandate while respecting its independence.

“For its part, the Government I lead will support the Electoral Commission in carrying out its mandates while respecting its independence,” he affirmed.

He reminded the newly sworn-in officials that the oaths they had taken must guide their decisions throughout their tenure, urging them to demonstrate competence, exercise sound judgement and remain committed to the national interest.

“Let competence distinguish your work. Let fairness shape your judgement, and let the national interest remain your constant compass,” President Mahama said.

He concluded by congratulating Mr. Asamoah and Ms. Agbenyo and wishing them wisdom, courage and success as they assume their responsibilities in service to Ghana.

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