Financial economist and academic Dr Razak Kojo Opoku has welcomed the appointment of Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), while raising concerns about the prolonged vacancy in the Commission’s Director of Finance position.
Dr Opoku described President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to appoint Dr Asamoah as appropriate, citing his previous experience within the EC and his professional background in finance, auditing, legal practice and academia.
In a commentary following the appointment, Dr Opoku also questioned the circumstances surrounding Dr Asamoah’s transfer from the Commission’s headquarters to its Ashanti Regional Office under the administration of EC Chairperson Jean Mensa.
According to him, the transfer was followed by a prolonged vacancy in the Director of Finance position at the headquarters, a situation he believes raises concerns about the Commission’s corporate governance practices.
“The appointment of Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as the new Deputy Chairman of the EC is perfectly in order,” Dr Opoku stated.
He claimed that Dr Asamoah experienced a difficult period during Jean Mensa’s administration, alleging that he was transferred to the Ashanti Regional Office from the Commission’s headquarters.
Dr Opoku further claimed that the Director of Finance position at the headquarters had remained without a substantive appointment for almost eight years since Dr Asamoah’s departure.
“Since Dr Asamoah left the EC headquarters, the Director of Finance position at the EC headquarters has been vacant for almost eight years without a substantive Director, and this is not good for corporate governance practices,” he said.
He argued that the appointment presents Dr Asamoah with an opportunity to return to the Commission’s headquarters in a more senior capacity, moving from his former position as Director to that of a Deputy Chairperson and Commissioner.
Dr Opoku also highlighted the significance of Dr Asamoah working alongside Jean Mensa in his new role, given the circumstances surrounding his earlier departure from the headquarters.
“Dr Asamoah, from Director to Commissioner, will now have to work closely with Jean Mensa,” he added.
Dr Asamoah’s appointment draws on his more than 17 years of experience spanning public service, legal practice, academia and electoral governance.
Before entering academia, he held several senior positions at the EC, including Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre and Head of Audit.
These roles exposed him to key aspects of the Commission’s financial management, staff training and internal oversight systems.
He later joined the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as a law lecturer, continuing his work in legal education.
His appointment as Deputy Chairperson returns him to the EC’s senior leadership, where he will serve as one of the officials responsible for overseeing the institution’s work.
Dr Asamoah’s appointment follows the departure of two former Deputy Chairpersons, resulting in changes to the Commission’s senior leadership.
Dr Bossman Asare, who was responsible for Corporate Affairs, resigned effective July 31, 2026, to return to academia at the University of Ghana.
Samuel Tettey, who supervised Operations as Deputy Chairperson, reached the mandatory retirement age.
The government announced the developments in June 2026.
President Mahama subsequently appointed Dr Asamoah and Emelia Afi Agbenyo to serve as Deputy Chairpersons of the Commission.
The appointments are expected to strengthen the Commission’s leadership as it continues to discharge its constitutional mandate of managing elections and supporting Ghana’s democratic processes.
Dr Asamoah’s experience in finance, auditing, training and legal education forms part of the professional background he brings to the position.
His return also comes against the backdrop of Dr Opoku’s concerns about the Commission’s internal administrative arrangements, particularly the need to ensure that key management positions are substantively filled to support effective institutional governance.
By 1960news.com
