CODEO Ghana has demanded the resignation of Emelia Affi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
CODEO cited concerns over the Commission’s independence and public confidence. The group is also demanding reforms to safeguard electoral credibility.
According to CODEO, in a statement released on October 15, 2026 highlighted that Agbenyo’s resignation would help restore public confidence in the Electoral Commission (EC), which will strengthen trust in its impartiality and credibility.
Portions of the statement read, “Calls on Ms Emelia Affi Agbenyo to honourably resign as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission in the interest of protecting public confidence in the Commission’s impartiality and institutional credibility”.
“While CODEO recognises the President’s constitutional authority over appointments, public evidence of Ms Agbenyo’s active political engagement with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2024 general election campaign directly compromises the public perception of the independence, impartiality, and institutional credibility of the Electoral Commission.
“As a primary stakeholder in Ghana’s democratic process, CODEO asserts that the integrity of the Electoral Commission depends not only on the actual neutrality of its commissioners, but on the public’s absolute confidence in that neutrality,” the statement continued.
The statement further added, “The appointment of Dr Peter Appiahene rightly generated condemnation from many groups, including the National Democratic Congress, prompting its then Presidential Aspirant, now President John Mahama, to call for urgent reforms”.
CODEO also urged President John Dramani Mahama to ask Agbenyo to resign saying, “Calls on President John Dramani Mahama to demonstrate consistency with his previously stated position by urging Ms Agbenyo to resign. The President must demonstrate that the principles he advocated in opposition remain applicable under his own administration”.
Meanwhile, Kwesi Pratt Jr, a veteran journalist and Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, has slammed John Dramani Mahama over the appointment decision to appoint and swear in Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).
According to him, Agbenyo’s previous association with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) raises concerns about the perceived political neutrality of the Electoral Commission.
Kwesi Pratt noted that during the Akufo-Addo administration, Ghanaians criticised appointments perceived to be politically motivated, further questioning why President Mahama would make a similar appointment.
He further stressed the need for political leaders to prioritise national interests and avoid decisions that could undermine public confidence.
Speaking during an interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo programme on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Kwesi Pratt said, “Maybe the woman might work perfectly without her party biases, but the optics don’t look good. This morning, I read what President Mahama said to them about not working for any party but rather the nation.
“But if he didn’t appoint this woman, what would have happened? Are we saying that out of 35 million people, we couldn’t get anybody aside from someone who participated in the NDC manifesto committee? Why are we doing things anyhow?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu has admitted that the government wanted an NDC member on the Electoral Commission to “tilt the balance” of its composition.
According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have orchestrated an agenda against the appointment of Emelia Afi Agenyo.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu argued that he is willing to challenge members of the NPP, highlighting that the party, while in office, appointed individuals affiliated with the party to positions at the Electoral Commission.
The Government Communications Minister also disclosed that the appointment of Emelia Afi Agenyo is also part of President Mahama’s reset agenda, arguing that her appointment was intended to balance what he described as NPP appointments at the Electoral Commission.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu admitted that “tilting the balance” meant appointing a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking on JoyFM, Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated, “I have challenged the NPP, and indeed, I will address the NPP because they are the ones who have started this narrative and are creating the impression that they have bought the appointment of people with personal affiliation to the EC,” he said.
“The other issue is that, you see, a reset could also mean balancing a lopsided state institution.
“Why is it acceptable for us to have a situation where, out of seven commissioners who manage Ghana’s elections, almost four of them are NPP? What is wrong with tilting the balance?” he added.
See the statement below:
@ghnow_ Nana Yaa shares heartwarming moments with fans and well-wishers at Kotoka International Airport as she prepares to travel to the UK with her mum. ❤️ #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – Movaldo Lyrics
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