Martin Kpebu, a Private legal practitioner, has slammed President John Dramani Mahama over his decision to appoint and swear in Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).
According to Lawyer Kpebu, President Mahama’s decision to appoint Emelia Afi Agbenyo, a previous associate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is a reset in reverse.
He argued that he was shocked when he learned of the President’s decision, adding that it contradicts the reset agenda Mahama promised Ghanaians.
Speaking on TV3 Key Points, aired on TV3 on October 17, 2026, Martin Kpebu stated, “This one is a reset in reverse; that is not the legacy. It was like a fairy tale in the negative sense. I couldn’t believe my ears; I was like, ‘What is this?’”
Lawyer Kpebu further disclosed that he might reconsider his support for President Mahama if future appointments continue in that manner.
He stressed that such an appointment undermines the integrity of the Electoral Commission.
“We made all the noise against Akufo-Addo’s appointment. In 2024, the NDC raised issues against the Director of the EC; we were here making all the noise. This is a strong race to the bottom. I am not sure that after a year I will continue to support JM. This appointment doesn’t look like him, the reset he promised,” he said.
Also, Vitus Azeem, an Anti-corruption campaigner, has slammed President John Dramani Mahama over the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).
The Anti-corruption campaigner warned against appointing individuals with political affiliations to positions in independent state institutions.
According to Vitus Azeem, Ghana is 70 years after independence, and should not be doing the very things that it did yesterday.
He cautioned that Emelia Afi Agbenyo, as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), risks continuing a cycle of partisan appointments whenever power changes hands.
Speaking to Citi News, Vitus Azeem stated, “We are progressing 70 years after independence, and we should not be doing the very things that we did yesterday. We should be developing a democracy, and so if you have some party affiliation, whether you have ever held a position in the party as executive or not, if you are known to have party affiliation and appeared on a party platform to campaign, then definitely your independence can be compromised.
“Sometimes, you have to take some decisions, and even though you take that decision honestly without being influenced by your party affiliation, it can be perceived as having been influenced by your party, and so we need people whose actions will not be blamed on any party’s affiliations.”
He further rejected arguments that appointing Emelia Afi Agbenyo was to help balance the composition of the Electoral Commission.
Meanwhile, Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu has said 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.
Watch the video below:
The NDC appointing Emelia Agbenyo into the EC is a strong race to the bottom. This appointment does not look like the ‘Reset’ President John Mahama promised. This is a ‘Reset in reverse’ – Martin Kpebu, Private Legal Practitioner #TheKeyPoints #TV3GH https://t.co/QzVFUb6Dqj
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) October 17, 2026
@ghnow_ This is how Chef Abys arrived The Big Street Food earlier today at Gud Park #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – Abenah
@ghnow_ A look back at the exciting moments from Big Street Food by Chef Abys, which took place earlier today! 🍕🔥 #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – Abenah
