NPP should shut up about Affi Agbenyo’s Deputy EC Chair appointment – Guan MP

The Member of Parliament for Guan, Fred Agbenyo, has criticised the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) over its objections to the appointment of Emelia Affi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).

President John Dramani Mahama swore in Ms Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as Deputy Chairpersons of the EC on Monday, October 12.

The appointments have sparked debate over the political affiliations of the appointees and the need to protect the Commission’s independence and public credibility.

Reacting to this on Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme on Tuesday, October 13, the NDC lawmaker argued that the NPP was applying double standards by questioning Ms Agbenyo’s political associations despite making similar appointments under the previous Akufo-Addo-led administration.

The Guan MP further cited former Deputy EC Chairperson Dr Bossman Eric Asare, arguing that the NPP should not insist on standards it had not consistently applied when in government.

“I cannot say that Afie has never been involved in any of these activities. I have seen her involvement in some of our activities. It’s a fact, and nobody will run away from it,” he said.

The Guan MP acknowledged that Ms Agbenyo had participated in NDC activities and served as a spokesperson for a sector of the party’s manifesto committee.

However, he said her experience, competence and ability to perform the duties of a Deputy EC Chairperson cannot be challenged.