Political scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has advised the two newly sworn-in Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC) to discharge their duties fairly.
According to him, any attempt to be partial in their roles in favour of a particular political divide will get the public rising against them.
He says despite the Chairperson, Jean Adukwei Mensa, being appointed by the previous administration, the two deputies must remain neutral and reflect an institution championing the course of democracy.
His comments follow the appointment and swearing-in of Emelia Affi Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah by President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, October 12, 2026.
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 on TV3’s Daily Brief that their decisions must be above partisanship.
“That is all they need to do and to do that, they need to make sure that whatever decisions or actions they take will reflect nothing but a neutral person or neutral institution championing the course of democracy,” he said on Monday, October 12, 2026.
He cautioned that anything short of neutrality will have consequences. “Anything short of that, I’m afraid the public will rise up and go against them,” he added.
Dr. Asah-Asante explained that they must ensure that the outcome of the polls reflects the will of the people.
“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.
New EC deputies have no choice but to work with Jean Mensa – Asah-Asante
