The NPP has called for reforms to the appointment of members of the Electoral Commission (EC), while demanding an explanation from the Council of State over its advice on the appointment of Emelia Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Commission.
The party says the controversy surrounding Madam Agbenyo’s appointment by President John Dramani Mahama highlights the need to reconsider the process for appointing members of the institution responsible for overseeing Ghana’s elections.
In a statement issued on October 13, 2026, the NPP urged the government to use the ongoing constitutional review process to introduce reforms, including a proposal it attributed to President Mahama in March 2023.
According to the party, the President had previously criticised the appointment of persons he described as party activists to the EC and advocated an amendment to Article 43(2) of the 1992 Constitution to require parliamentary approval for such appointments.
The NPP argued that the appointment of Madam Agbenyo, whom it identified as having served as the NDC’s governance sector spokesperson during the preparation of its 2024 manifesto, contradicted the President’s earlier position.
“We also call on the Council of State to explain to Ghanaians the advice it gave in this matter,” the statement said.
The party also raised concerns about the acceptance speech delivered by Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah, another newly appointed Deputy Chairperson of the EC.
Describing the remarks as “deeply troubling”, the NPP claimed that the speech bore the hallmarks of a partisan agenda and could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
It did not, however, provide specific excerpts from the speech in the statement to substantiate that characterisation.
The party maintained that the perceived neutrality of EC leadership was important to public confidence in the Commission and the credibility of future elections.
It called on civil society organisations, religious bodies, the media and other stakeholders to support its demand for changes to the electoral appointment process.
The NPP also said it would pursue all lawful avenues to protect the integrity of the electoral system.
The appointments of Madam Agbenyo and Dr Asamoah place them among the Commission’s deputy leadership as Ghana prepares for the 2028 general elections.
