New EC deputies have no choice but to work with Jean Mensa – Asah-Asante

Political scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, says the two newly sworn-in Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC) have no choice but to work amicably with their boss.

He says despite the Chairperson, Jean Adukwei Mensa, being appointed by the previous administration, the two new deputies have no choice than to work with her to deliver free, fair and transparent elections heading into the 2028 general elections.

His comments follow the appointment and swearing-in of Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah by President John Dramani Mahama.

Many have questioned the political neutrality of Madam Agbenyo, with claims that she served as a Governance Sector Spokesperson for the NDC during its 2024 Reset Manifesto campaign.

Responding to a question on how the new deputies will work with EC Chairperson, Madam Adukwei Mensa, who was appointed by the previous government, to get the best out of the Commission, Dr. Asah-Asante said TV3’s Daily Brief that the two owe the people of Ghana a duty.

“I don’t think they have any choice. They owe the people of this country a duty. A duty of making sure that we have free, fair and transparent elections,” he said on Monday, October 12, 2026.

According to him, that duty means organising elections devoid of all the aberrations associated with elections. “Elections devoid of all the aberrations associated with elections; rigging, vote-buying and the rest,” he added.

He explained that their mandate is to ensure that the outcome of the polls is accepted by all sides.

“So that at the end of the day, when they declare elections or the results, those who have lost will accept defeat and abide by the rules of the game and those who have won will also be crowned leaders,” Dr Asah-Asante noted.

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