The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has intensified its call for all politically exposed persons serving at the Electoral Commission (EC) to honourably resign in order to restore public confidence in the electoral management body.
Speaking in an interview on As It Is In Ghana on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM Ghana and 92.4FM UK, Mr Jacob Tetteh Ahuno, an Evaluation Officer at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and spokesperson for CODEO, reiterated the coalition’s firm stance following a statement issued by the organisation, which comprises over 40 Civil Society Organisations.
His comments follow official demands by CODEO for the resignation of the newly appointed EC Deputy Chairperson, Emelia Affi Agbenyo, following concerns regarding her alleged partisan affiliation with the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to Mr Ahuno, public trust and confidence in the Electoral Commission have steadily waned over the years, making it imperative to address any actions or appointments that could further undermine the institution. He explained that while the President retains the constitutional authority to make appointments, public evidence of Ms Agbenyo’s active political engagement during the 2024 general election campaign directly compromises the public perception of the commission’s independence, impartiality, and institutional credibility.
Mr Ahuno highlighted that Ms Agbenyo had been appointed as a sectoral spokesperson for the NDC’s governance portfolio ahead of the 2024 elections, with her social media profiles and posts across platforms such as Facebook and X during the campaign period further confirming her overt alignment with the party.
“Public confidence and the perceived independence of the Electoral Commission are severely compromised when individuals with recent, public partisan engagements are appointed to such sensitive roles,” Mr Ahuno stated. “While the President has the constitutional mandate to make appointments, the commission’s institutional credibility relies heavily on absolute public trust across the entire political spectrum.”
When asked whether other politically exposed individuals at the EC should similarly step aside, Mr Ahuno answered in the affirmative. He recalled that CODEO had previously taken a similar principled stance by demanding the resignation of Dr Peter Appiahene over his alleged links to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He stressed that the coalition’s demands are strictly non-partisan and apply to anyone whose political exposure threatens the integrity of the EC.
“This demand is not about Madam Emelia Affi Agbenyo as an individual, nor is it a question of her professional qualifications or technical competence,” he emphasized. “It applies to any individual at the commission who is politically exposed. CODEO remains grounded in the principled stand that the Electoral Commission must remain strictly neutral.”
Beyond individual resignations, Mr Ahuno advocated for broad structural reforms regarding the appointment of EC Chairpersons and Deputies. He advised the government to establish open, competitive, and merit-based selection procedures subject to parliamentary oversight, while also calling on the Council of State to adopt transparent processes when executing its advisory duties.
He noted that it would be in the best interest of the nation for the Council of State to make its official advice to the President public on such appointments, ensuring that Ghanaians remain fully informed about the processes shaping key democratic institutions.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
