President John Dramani Mahama has charged the newly sworn-in Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission, Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Joseph Kwaku Asamoah (Esq), to discharge their duties with integrity and fairness.

During the swearing-in ceremony at the Flagstaff House on Monday, October 12, 2026, President Mahama noted that the work of the Electoral Commission touches the very foundation of Ghana’s democracy. According to the President, through elections, citizens choose their leaders, hold government accountable and determine which direction their country must go; hence, the confidence the citizenry reposes in the commission must be guarded with all sincerity and honesty.

President John Dramani Mahama

“Through elections, citizens choose their leaders, hold government accountable and determine the direction their country must go. The confidence with which they exercise those rights depends in considerable measure on the integrity, competence, and fairness of the Electoral Commission”, President Mahama noted.

He, therefore, admonished that their appointments carry a substantial responsibility to ensure that every eligible citizen is given the opportunity to participate freely in every electoral process.

He added that every valid vote must be counted and the will of the people must be faithfully reflected in the outcome of elections. The appointments of Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Joseph Kwaku Asamoah (Esq) as Deputy Commissioners of the EC follow the resignation of former Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) in charge of Corporate Affairs, Dr. Bossman Asare, whose resignation took effect on  July 31, 2026, and the retirement of the EC’s former Deputy Chairperson in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey.

Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah, a former Director of Finance at the Electoral Commission (EC), is a law lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and previously held several senior positions at the EC, including Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre and Head of Audit. He, therefore, brings to office legal and financial expertise.

Madam Emelia Afi Agbenyo is a Deputy Director for Operations at the Ghana TVET Service and brings to office great expertise in public administration, institutional leadership, development corporation and stakeholder engagement. Her vast knowledge in public administration and governance will equip the EC in its policy development and implementation. At the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, October 12, 2026, President John Dramani urged the new Deputy EC bosses to discharge their duties fairly, void of any political bias.

“The oaths you have taken today must guide your decisions through your tenure on the commission. Let competence distinguish your work; let fairness shape your judgment, and let the national interest remain your constant compass”, President Mahama said.

To the new EC appointees, President Mahama encouraged them to bring their experience and expertise in building teams, managing partnerships and translating policies into action to the service of the commission and to the Ghanaian people. “Together, your two backgrounds offer complementary strengths. The task ahead is to translate these strengths into diligent, impartial and effective service,” he remarked. “Let me state clearly that your duty is to the Republic of Ghana and its people. You must discharge your responsibility without fear or favour towards any political party, candidate or government. The authority that accompanies your office must always be exercised with fairness, restraint and in fidelity to the law,” President Mahama said. He added that, “As President, I expect no preferential treatment from the EC for myself, my party or my government. I expect an institution that applies the same standards to everyone and protects Ghanaians’ rights to choose their leaders freely; you must have the courage to uphold what is right even when it is inconvenient for those in power. Public trust must be earned through consistent conduct. It grows when proceedings are clear, decisions are explained, concerns receive timely attention, and commitments are honoured”, he concluded.

Source : Kobina Darlington/Peacefmonline.com