NPP Rejects Emelia Agbenyo’s Appointment As Deputy EC Chair, Demands Withdrawal

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has formally rejected the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as the Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), calling for her immediate withdrawal from office.

The opposition party’s stance follows President John Dramani Mahama’s swearing-in of Madam Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as new Deputy Commissioners at the Jubilee House. The appointments were made to fill vacancies left by Dr. Bossman Asare, who returned to academia, and Samuel Tettey, who reached mandatory retirement age.

However, the NPP has strongly opposed Agbenyo’s inclusion, citing deep-seated partisanship and alleged political bias. The party argued that her appointment compromises the perceived neutrality and independence of the electoral management body. According to the NPP, public trust in the Electoral Commission is the bedrock of democratic stability, warning that partisan appointments risk eroding confidence in future voter registration exercises, boundary demarcations, and election results.

Furthermore, the opposition party accused the administration of hypocrisy, drawing parallels to previous criticisms raised by political actors when in opposition regarding appointments to independent state institutions. The NPP maintained that foundational integrity must be maintained within the EC to prevent plunging the country into avoidable electoral tensions.

In response, representatives and defenders of the ruling administration have dismissed the criticisms, arguing that Agbenyo is a qualified development professional with a strong track record—including her previous leadership role as Deputy Director-General for Operations at the Ghana TVET Service and service on the National Development Planning Commission—and that her background does not disqualify her from national service.

As debates intensify across political platforms, the NPP has indicated it will explore lawful channels to address its concerns, urging civil society organizations and religious bodies to monitor developments closely.

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