I expect no preferential treatment from EC for myself as President, my party or govt – Mahama tells EC deputies

President John Dramani Mahama has urged the newly appointed Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC) to safeguard the Commission’s impartiality, insisting that his government and the ruling party must be subjected to the same standards as all other political actors.

He gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah on Monday, October 12, 2026, stressing that the credibility of the Commission depends on its ability to perform its duties fairly and independently.

President Mahama said the officials must resist political influence and exercise their authority in accordance with the law to protect the right of Ghanaians to freely elect their leaders.

“As President, I expect no preferential treatment from the Electoral Commission for myself, my party or my government. You must have the courage to uphold what is right even when it is inconvenient for those in power,” he said.

He emphasised that neither political affiliation nor the position of a candidate should determine how the EC applies its rules, urging the new deputy chairpersons to uphold fairness in all their decisions.

The President also called on them to strengthen public confidence in the Commission through transparency, accountability and sustained engagement with stakeholders.

He encouraged the officials to listen to political parties, civil society organisations, the media and the general public, and to respond promptly to legitimate concerns.

Where public concerns arise from misinformation, he urged them to provide accurate information, while acknowledging and correcting mistakes whenever necessary.

Dr Asamoah, who lectures in law at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), previously served the EC as Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre and Head of Audit.

President Mahama said his background in law, accounting, economics and electoral administration would be valuable to the Commission, particularly in strengthening internal systems, improving the training of electoral officers and ensuring the effective management of public resources.

Ms Agbenyo, on the other hand, was the Deputy Director for Operations at the Ghana TVET Service before her appointment.

The President highlighted her experience in public administration, institutional leadership and stakeholder engagement, including coordinating operations and implementing policies at the service.

He also drew attention to her work in promoting gender and disability inclusion, urging her to help ensure that electoral participation is accessible to all eligible voters, including persons who face physical, social or communication barriers.

The two appointments follow changes in the EC’s senior leadership. Dr Bossman Asare, whose responsibilities included Corporate Affairs, resigned effective July 31, 2026, while former Deputy Chairperson in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, retired upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.