Ghana News / Politics
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has urged President John Dramani Mahama to uphold his previous position on electoral reforms by calling on Electoral Commission Deputy Chairperson Emelia Afi Agbenyo to resign over concerns about her past political involvement.
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to demonstrate consistency with his previous position on electoral reforms by urging Emelia Afi Agbenyo to resign as Deputy Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC).
In a statement dated October 15, 2026, CODEO said Ms. Agbenyo’s publicly documented involvement in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign ahead of the 2024 general election had raised concerns about the perceived independence, impartiality and credibility of the Electoral Commission.
Ms. Agbenyo was sworn in as Deputy Chairperson of the EC on October 12, 2026. CODEO acknowledged the President’s constitutional authority to make appointments but argued that the public must have confidence in the neutrality of electoral officials.
The coalition cited Ms. Agbenyo’s reported role as a governance sector spokesperson for the NDC during the 2024 election campaign, alongside social media posts expressing support for the party and its presidential candidate at the time, John Dramani Mahama.
CODEO stressed that its concerns were not about her professional qualifications or technical competence, but about protecting public confidence in the institution responsible for managing Ghana’s elections.
The group recalled that in March 2023, Mr. Mahama, then in opposition, criticised the appointment of individuals he described as known party activists to the Electoral Commission. He also called for an amendment to Article 43(2) of the 1992 Constitution to require parliamentary approval for new commissioners.
CODEO said the President should apply the same principles he advocated while in opposition, regardless of which political party is in government.
The coalition also recalled its previous opposition to appointments it considered partisan, including its 2023 call, alongside STAR-Ghana Foundation and the Civic Forum Initiative, for the resignation of former EC member Dr. Peter Appiahene over concerns about his alleged affiliation with the New Patriotic Party.
Beyond Ms. Agbenyo’s appointment, CODEO called on the government to introduce transparent, merit-based procedures for future appointments to the Electoral Commission. It also urged the Council of State to establish clearer processes through which citizens can access information about how it performs its constitutional responsibilities.
The group further called for reconsideration of proposals to reform the appointment process, including recommendations for an open and competitive selection system, independent scrutiny and meaningful parliamentary oversight.
CODEO maintained that protecting the independence of the Electoral Commission requires both appropriate constitutional safeguards and a commitment from political leaders to ensure that electoral institutions command public confidence across the political divide.
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