By Philip Antoh
Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah have been officially sworn in as the new Deputy Chairpersons of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) by President John Dramani Mahama.
The duo steps in to fill leadership voids left by the exit of their predecessors. Samuel Tettey, who previously oversaw Operations, departed the Commission after reaching the mandatory retirement age.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bossman Eric Asare, responsible for Corporate Affairs, resigned effective July 31, 2026, to return to academia at the University of Ghana.
During the swearing-in ceremony at the Jubilee House on Monday, President Mahama charged the new appointees to uphold “fairness, restraint, and fidelity to the law.”
He emphasized that he does not anticipate any special favours from the electoral body.
“As president, I expect no preferential treatment from the electoral commission for myself, my party, or my government,” Mahama stated.
“I expect an institution that applies the same standards to everyone and protects Ghanaians’ right to choose their leaders freely.”
Dr. Asamoah brings a wealth of expertise to the role, boasting over 17 years of experience across electoral administration, public service, legal practice, and academia.
A lawyer, chartered accountant, and lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), he is no stranger to the EC.
Prior to this appointment, he served the Commission in several key capacities, including Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre, and Head of Audit.
He was also actively involved in administering past electoral exercises, notably the 2012 and 2016 general elections.
These appointments come at a crucial time as the Commission continues to steer Ghana’s electoral processes and gear up for future polls.
Newly sworn-in Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah, has assured Ghanaians that the Commission will carry out its electoral duties without fear or favour.
He gave the assurance on Monday, October 12, 2026, while speaking on behalf of himself and fellow Deputy Chairperson Emelia Afi Agbenyo at their swearing-in ceremony.
Dr. Asamoah Seeks Collective Support for EC
In his acceptance speech, newly appointed Electoral Commission (EC) Deputy Chairperson, Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, called on the public to take an active interest in the Commission’s work by participating in its activities and offering constructive criticism to help enhance its operations.
“We expect Ghanaians to engage the Electoral Commission, to participate in the commission, to critique the commission in order to make it a perfect institution that you all help to create,” he urged.
Dr. Asamoah also appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama for support in fulfilling the Commission’s mandate, while firmly pledging that the new leadership will remain strictly impartial in carrying out their duties.
“May we seek your audience, and may we seek your power here, Mr President, to promise that we will deliver without fear or favour,” he stated.
While acknowledging the EC’s central role in organizing credible elections, Dr. Asamoah stressed that the burden of responsibility extends well beyond the Commission, describing credible polls as a collective national duty.
“Credible elections are therefore the responsibility of this commission, but it is not the responsibility of the commission alone. It is a national duty,” he emphasized.
He identified political parties, Parliament, the security services, civil society organisations, the judiciary, the media, and the public as crucial stakeholders whose cooperation is essential to safeguarding the integrity of elections, calling on them all to collaborate with the Commission.
“Political parties, parliament, security services, civil society, the judiciary, the media and every citizen must play a role. And we call on all of you to join hands with us,” Dr. Asamoah concluded.