President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, October 12, 2026, swore in Madam Emelia Affi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) in charge of Operations and Outreach.
She was sworn in together with Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, Esq., who will serve as Deputy Chairperson in charge of Legal and Governance.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Jubilee House and was witnessed by the EC Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Mensa, and other Commissioners.
Their appointments follow vacancies created by the departure of two former deputies — Dr. Bossman Eric Asare, who resigned as Deputy Chairperson for Corporate Affairs effective July 31, 2026, to return to academia at the University of Ghana, and Mr. Samuel Tettey, former Deputy Chairperson for Operations, who retired upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65.
Who is Emelia Afi Agbenyo?
Madam Agbenyo until her appointment was the Deputy Director for Operations at the Ghana TVET Service, where she oversaw technical and vocational education initiatives across the country.
She also served as a Commissioner at the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), focusing on inclusive economic growth, skills development and gender equality.
In her international development career, she worked as a technical advisor for GIZ Ghana and co-authored Ghana’s first disability- and gender-inclusive TVET manual.
Her portfolio at the EC will be critical as the Commission prepares for future electoral exercises and deepens public engagement.
Dr. Asamoah, a lawyer, chartered accountant and law lecturer at KNUST, is a former Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre and Head of Audit at the EC, with over 17 years experience in electoral administration. He played key roles in the 2012 and 2016 general elections.
President Charges New EC Deputies on Impartiality
Charging the two new deputies, President Mahama urged them to remain impartial and protect the right of Ghanaians to freely choose their leaders.
“So let me state clearly. Your duty is to the Republic of Ghana and its people. You must discharge your responsibilities without favour towards any political party, any candidate or government,” President Mahama said.
“The authority that accompanies your office must always be exercised with fairness, restraint and fidelity to the law.”
The President stressed that he expects no preferential treatment from the Commission for himself, his party, the NDC, or his government.
“As President, I expect no preferential treatment from the Electoral Commission for myself, my party, or my government. I expect an institution that applies the same standards to everyone and protects Ghanaians’ right to choose their leaders freely.”
“You must have the courage to uphold what is right even when it is inconvenient for those in power,” he added.
Responding on behalf of his colleague, Dr. Asamoah pledged to deliver without fear or favour, and called on all stakeholders — political parties, Parliament, security services, civil society, the judiciary, the media and citizens — to support credible elections in Ghana.
By Robert Dela Mawuenyegah
