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.
His comment follows President John Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) has sparked debate on social media following her swearing-in.
The controversy follows the resurfacing of social media posts and an article highlighting Agbenyo’s alleged involvement in the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s campaign ahead of the 2024 general election.
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.
Also, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rejected President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).
According to the NPP, they consider the appointment unacceptable because of Agbenyo’s previous political activities and alleged association with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In a statement signed by the NPP National Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the party also accused President John Dramani Mahama of contradicting his previous position on political appointments to the EC.
In March 2023, John Mahama, then-opposition leader, criticised the appointment of people he described as party activists to the Commission and called for Article 43(2) of the Constitution to be amended to allow Parliament to approve such appointments.
Parts of the NPP statement read, “She is seen in videos on NDC campaign rally platforms campaigning with and for the NDC. She is seen in NDC campaign T-shirts openly advocating for the NDC,” the party said.
“Less than two years on, the President has placed her among the top leadership of the institution that will conduct the 2028 general elections. We find this unacceptable,” the party stated.
“The President has now done exactly what he condemned,” the NPP said.
“Public confidence in the Commission is the foundation on which every election result rests,” it underscored.
The NPP argued that the loss of public confidence could lead to suspicion over electoral processes, including voter registration, boundary decisions and the declaration of results.
They further called on President Mahama to withdraw Agbenyo’s appointment.
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