President John Dramani Mahama has urged newly sworn-in Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Emelia Affi Agbenyo, to discharge their duties with impartiality, transparency and strict adherence to the law.
He said the credibility of Ghana’s electoral processes depended on the integrity, competence and fairness of the Commission, stressing that the new appointees had a responsibility to protect the right of every eligible citizen to participate in elections.
Speaking at their swearing-in ceremony at the seat of government, President Mahama said the appointments came with significant responsibilities because elections remained central to the country’s democratic governance.
“Your appointment therefore carries substantial responsibility: to ensure that every eligible citizen can participate in our electoral processes, and that every valid vote counts, and that the will of the people is faithfully reflected in the electoral outcomes,” he said.
President Mahama said Dr Asamoah brought legal, financial and electoral expertise to the Commission, having served in various capacities, including audit, finance and training.
He said the experience had equipped him with practical knowledge of the Commission’s operations, resource management and electoral administration.
He also highlighted Ms Agbenyo’s experience in public administration, institutional leadership, development cooperation and stakeholder engagement, noting that her work in gender and disability inclusion could help improve electoral participation among vulnerable groups.
The President urged both appointees to apply their respective expertise to strengthen institutional systems, improve the preparation of electoral officers and promote responsible management of public resources.
He emphasised that the Commission must operate independently of partisan interests and apply the same standards to all political parties and candidates.
“Your duty is to the Republic of Ghana and its people. You must discharge your responsibilities without favour towards any political party, any candidate, or government,” he said.
President Mahama added that he expected no preferential treatment for himself, the governing party or his administration.
“As president, I expect no preferential treatment from the Electoral Commission for myself, my party, or my government. I expect an institution that applies the same standards to everyone and protects Ghanaians’ right to choose their leaders freely,” he stated.
He further urged the new deputy chairpersons to promote transparency, engage constructively with political parties, civil society, the media and citizens, and promptly address legitimate concerns.
The President said credible elections required sustained preparation, accurate record-keeping, trained personnel, reliable logistics and secure systems.
He also called for the responsible use of technology and practical measures to ensure that persons with disabilities, older citizens, women, young people and voters in remote communities could participate in elections with dignity.
President Mahama reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting the EC while respecting its independence, urging the new appointees to let competence, fairness and the national interest guide their work.
