'You did the same thing' – Solomon Owusu defends EC appointment

National Director of Communications for the United Party (UP), Solomon Owusu has challenged the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) concerns about the political affiliation of newly appointed Deputy Electoral Commission Chair Emelia Afi Agbenyo, arguing that similar concerns were raised over appointments made under the previous NPP government.

Owusu said the debate should consider the history of political appointments to the commission rather than focus exclusively on the latest controversy.

During an interview, he referred to criticism surrounding the appointment of Dr Peter Appiahene as an Electoral Commission member under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, arguing that concerns about partisan affiliation had also been raised in that case.

He recalled that civil society groups had questioned Appiahene’s alleged links to the NPP and that then-presidential aspirant John Dramani Mahama had called for reforms.

Owusu questioned why the political affiliations of appointees should be treated differently depending on which party is in government.

“If you condemn what President Akufo-Addo did, why are you not condemning this one?” he asked during the discussion.

He argued that the previous controversy could have been resolved differently if the concerns had been addressed at the time, adding that the current debate could not be separated from those earlier appointments.

Owusu also pointed to the constitutional requirements for appointment as an Electoral Commission member, arguing that alleged membership of a political party does not, by itself, appear among the stated disqualifications.

“The Constitution is very clear on the qualification of a commissioner. The only qualification is that you must be someone that qualifies to be a Member of Parliament,” he said.

He questioned whether the government should leave the commission unchanged when it believes some members have political affiliations that could undermine confidence in the institution.

“If you are a responsible government and you are serious about your mandate, you allow them to go and run election for you?” he asked during a panel discussion on Joy Prime.

Owusu’s comments come amid the NPP’s objections to Agbenyo’s appointment, which the party has linked to NDC affiliation.

-mynewsgh