Kwaku Azar breaks down Ghana’s EC appointments under Fourth Republic

Legal scholar Professor Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, has traced the appointments and tenure of members of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) since the inception of the Fourth Republic, highlighting the role successive presidents have played in constituting the seven-member body.

In a Facebook post, Prof. Azar outlined appointments made under the administrations of Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He noted that the EC is constitutionally composed of a Chairperson, two Deputy Chairpersons and four other commissioners, all appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Council of State.

According to him, Article 43 of the 1992 Constitution establishes the Commission, while Article 70(2) provides for the appointment of its members. He said he has consistently maintained that the Council of State’s advice is binding on the President, although the Supreme Court has not definitively settled the question in relation to EC appointments.

Prof. Azar also cited Article 44 of the Constitution, which requires a person appointed to the Commission to be qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament.

He said former President Jerry John Rawlings appointed the EC’s initial members in 1993, including its first Chairperson, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, who served until 2015.

Other early appointees included Deputy Chairpersons David Kangah and Kwadwo Sarfo-Kantanka, as well as commissioners Professor Ernest Dumor, Dr M. T. K. Puni, Elizabeth Solomon and Theresa Cole.

Justice Kwame Afreh was also among the early deputy commissioners but left the Commission in 1994 following his appointment to the Court of Appeal, Prof. Azar noted.

Under former President John Agyekum Kufuor, four ordinary commissioners were appointed between 2004 and 2005. They were Paulina Adobea Dadzawa, Nana Amba Eyiiba I, Eunice Akweley Roberts and Ebenezer Aggrey-Fynn.

Prof. Azar said the appointments did not involve a new Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson, as the existing leadership remained in office.

Former President John Evans Atta Mills subsequently appointed Sa-Adatu Maida and Rebecca Kabukie Adjalo as commissioners in 2010, while Amadu Sulley became a Deputy Chairperson in 2012.

During his administration, President John Dramani Mahama appointed Georgina Opoku Amankwaa as a Deputy Chairperson in 2013 and Charlotte Osei as EC Chairperson in 2015. Ms Osei succeeded Dr Afari-Gyan following his retirement.

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made further appointments in 2018 after the removal of Charlotte Osei, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwaa.

The appointments were Jean Adukwei Mensa as Chairperson, Samuel Tettey and Dr Eric Bossman Asare as Deputy Chairpersons, and Adwoa Asuama Abrefa as a commissioner.

In 2023, Mr Akufo-Addo appointed three additional commissioners: Salima Ahmed Tijani, Dr Peter Appiahene and Rev. Akua Ofori Boateng. These appointments brought the number of EC members appointed under his administration to seven across the various positions.

Under President John Dramani Mahama’s current administration, Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Emelia Afi Agbenyo were appointed Deputy Chairpersons in 2026. Prof. Azar said they succeeded Mr Tettey, who retired, and Dr Bossman Asare, who resigned.

He added that President Mahama had, at the time of his post, appointed only the two Deputy Chairpersons, while Jean Mensa and the four ordinary commissioners appointed under Mr Akufo-Addo remained in office.

Based on his account, five of the seven members of the current Commission were appointed under Mr Akufo-Addo’s administration, while the two Deputy Chairpersons were appointed by Mr Mahama.

Prof. Azar stressed that, regardless of who appointed them, all seven members are constitutionally required to perform their duties independently and impartially.