Rashid Tanko-Computer, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Deputy Director of Elections and IT, has said demands for resignation at the Electoral Commission (EC) should be directed to Jean Mensa.
According to Tanko-Computer, calls for the resignation of Electoral Commission (EC) Deputy Chairperson Emelia Affi Agbenyo should rather be directed at Jean Mensa.
Tanko-Computer defended Mahama’s decision to appoint Mrs Agbenyo, arguing that her association with the NDC does not make her an active party member or disqualify her from serving on the Commission.
He insisted that Emelia Affi Agbenyo was qualified for the position and should not be equated with individuals who hold active political positions.
Speaking on News Digest on Saturday, October 17, Tanko-Computer stated, “The fact that she’s associated herself with the NDC during the 2024 election and became our spokesperson on governance doesn’t make her a party activist today”.
“Why are they not asking for Madam Jean Mensa to resign? The first person they should be asking to resign is Madam Jean Mensa and Salima, as well as the other gentlemen, not Emelia,” he said.
However, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has criticised President John Mahama over what he describes as double standards in the debate over Emelia Affi Agbenyo’s appointment.
Ablakwa insisted that concerns about political affiliations in appointments to the Electoral Commission must be applied consistently.
According to Ablakwa, although President Mahama did not act unconstitutionally in making the appointment, the opinion of political bias remained a concern that should not be dismissed.
He argued that the Electoral Commission should be composed of neutral and independent individuals to maintain public confidence.
Speaking on JOYNEWS, Ablakwa stated, “Those double standards are not helpful in our public discourse. I would have wished for an entirely different situation. Yes, constitutionally, the President has not acted unconstitutionally, but the optics don’t look good. And those who are criticising have the right, because we criticised when we were in opposition, and we believed that we were on the right footing”.
“She is a woman of impeccable integrity. But the optics don’t look good, and I have always maintained that. Let’s have very neutral, independent arbiters appointed to the Electoral Commission. If it was wrong yesterday, it was not the best yesterday. It cannot be excellent today.”
Ablakwa nevertheless defended Ms Agbenyo’s suitability for the role, describing her as a competent woman of impeccable integrity.
He stated, “I have to emphasise that I have known Madam Affi Agbenyo since my student activism days; many student leaders know her. She is very independent, fearless, and when she makes up her mind, you cannot… She was SRC Secretary.
In terms of her competence, in terms of love for country and the fact that she will not engage in blatant bias, it breaks my heart that she is put in this storm. I am not taking anything away from her competence, and the fact that she can do the job and she is a woman of integrity”.
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