Percival Kofi Akpaloo, the Founder and Leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), has said Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah was appointed as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) to frustrate Jean Mensa.
According to Kofi Akpaloo, the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo is not a threat, but he is worried about Dr Asamoah’s appointment.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, Kofi Akpaloo stated, “I don’t have any challenge regarding the appointment. You can even appoint Asiedu Nketiah as EC Chairperson, but the will of the people will determine who will assume the office of President.
President Mahama appointed Charlotte Osei, but he lost the elections. Former President Akufo-Addo appointed Jean Mensa and Bossman Asare and others, and they lost miserably in the 2024 elections. You only need to protect the ballot at the polling stations. The EC cannot rig any election. You only have to be vigilant.”
He added, “Let no one deceive you that Emelia Afi Agbenyo is going to do anything to favour the NDC. We should rather be concerned about the other Deputy Chairperson appointed. The only thing they can do is use Dr Asamoah. He is the one who lacks an understanding of the activities of the EC.
He has been appointed to come and frustrate Electoral Commissioner Jean Mensa. Go back and listen to his acceptance speech after the swearing-in. He lacked understanding of the EC job. So, I think Emelia is not a threat. There is an attempt to frustrate the EC Chair so she will resign, but the woman I know will not give up easily like that,” he added.
It will be recalled that President Mahama swore in the two new Deputy Chairs of the Commission, with the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo generating heated reactions.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also 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”.
@ghnow_ The aunt of the late Nana Yaw, popularly known as Terry/Dinero, has appealed to anyone who owes him money to pay it to his mother. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Emotional scenes at the Teshie District Court as the mother of the late Nana Yaw, popularly known as Terry/Dinero, confronts the three suspects accused of kidnapping and murdering her son. #GHnow #fyp ♬ son original – Alexis Carlier
