President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah as the new Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC), with the duo pledging to discharge their electoral responsibilities without fear or favour.
The two were sworn into office at a ceremony at the Jubilee House on Monday, October 12, 2026, following their appointment by the President.
They replace Dr Bossman Asare, who resigned from his position to return to academia, and Samuel Tettey, who retired upon reaching the compulsory retirement age.
Their appointments come at a time when public confidence in electoral administration remains crucial to Ghana’s democratic governance, with the EC expected to uphold transparency, impartiality and credibility in the conduct of elections.
Speaking on behalf of himself and his fellow Deputy Chairperson after the swearing-in ceremony, Dr Asamoah assured that the commission would carry out its constitutional mandate impartially.
He called on President Mahama and the public to support the commission in strengthening electoral administration and promoting credible elections.
“May we seek your audience and may we seek your power here, Mr President, to promise that we will deliver without fear or favour,” he said.
Dr Asamoah also urged the public to actively engage with the Electoral Commission, stressing that public participation and constructive criticism were essential to improving the institution’s performance.
“We expect Ghanaians to engage the Electoral Commission, to participate in the commission, to critique the commission in order to make it a perfect institution that you all help to create,” he stated.
His remarks underscored the importance of public scrutiny and stakeholder engagement in ensuring that the EC remains accountable and responsive to the concerns of citizens.
Dr Asamoah further emphasised that the responsibility for delivering credible elections should not rest solely on the Electoral Commission.
According to him, although the commission has a central role in organising and supervising elections, other state institutions, political parties, civil society organisations and citizens must also contribute to protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
“Credible elections are therefore the responsibility of this commission, but it is not the responsibility of the commission alone. It is a national duty,” he said.
The incoming Deputy Chairperson’s position highlights the need for cooperation among electoral stakeholders to ensure peaceful, transparent and credible elections.
Such collaboration is particularly important in sustaining public trust in electoral outcomes and strengthening Ghana’s democratic institutions.
Emelia Afi Agbenyo previously served as a Governance Sector Spokesperson for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the party’s 2024 election campaign.
She also served as Deputy Director for Operations at the Ghana TVET Service before her appointment to the Electoral Commission.
Her appointment brings experience from both political communication and public-sector administration to the commission’s leadership.
Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah, on the other hand, is a former Director of Finance at the Electoral Commission.
His previous service within the institution gives him familiarity with its administrative and financial operations.
The two are expected to work with the EC’s Chairperson and other officials in carrying out the commission’s mandate of overseeing electoral processes in the country.
Their leadership will be important in supporting the commission’s institutional operations and efforts to maintain public confidence in the country’s electoral system.
The appointments follow the departure of Dr Bossman Asare and Samuel Tettey from their respective positions as Deputy Chairpersons.
Dr Asare resigned to return to academia, while Tettey retired after attaining the compulsory retirement age.
Their exits created vacancies in the commission’s senior leadership, paving the way for the appointment of Agbenyo and Asamoah.
The new deputies now face the task of contributing to the commission’s work while meeting public expectations for impartiality, transparency and professionalism.
Dr Asamoah’s pledge to work without fear or favour, together with his call for citizens to participate in and scrutinise the commission’s activities, sets out the principles he says will guide their service.
As they assume office, their performance will be assessed against the Electoral Commission’s responsibility to administer elections in a manner that promotes fairness, credibility and confidence in Ghana’s democratic process.
By 1960news.com
