The Executive Director of CARE Ghana, David Kumi Addo, has said the Electoral Commission (EC) can conduct a technically sound election and still lose public confidence if Ghanaians believe its leadership is politically compromised.
Speaking on Radio Gold 90.5 FM’s Gold Morning Conversation, Mr Addo said the discussion surrounding the newly appointed commissioners should not be reduced to mere political arguments but should focus on their competence, qualifications and potential impact on the electoral process.
Addressing allegations that one of the appointees, Mrs Agbenyo, is a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Addo said no evidence had been provided to substantiate the claims.
According to him, Mrs Agbenyo is not a member of the NDC’s cabinet but was contracted to undertake specific assignments for the party and its presidential candidate.
He maintained that those alleging she is an NDC member had not produced a party membership card to support their claims.
Mr Addo explained that Mrs Agbenyo served as a spokesperson on governance issues for the NDC presidential candidate during the 2024 elections.
He noted that CARE Ghana also engages external experts to conduct training programmes, but such engagements do not automatically make those individuals members of the organisation.
Drawing comparisons with previous allegations involving Bossman Asare, Peter Appiah Hene and others, Mr Addo said party membership cards had been presented in those instances.
He, however, cautioned that with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), evidence being circulated in support of political allegations must be carefully verified.
Mr Addo further alleged that some serving EC officials are known members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He referred to an individual he described as a party patron and communicator who still works at the Commission, as well as a woman identified as Alima, whom he alleged was an NPP member.
According to him, several individuals, including members of the NPP, had confirmed these political associations.
He questioned whether the political affiliations of EC officials necessarily undermine their neutrality, arguing that their public statements and conduct should be the primary considerations.
He explained that concerns surrounding certain officials had arisen largely because of their public utterances rather than their political affiliations alone.
Mr Addo described the two newly appointed commissioners as suitable candidates for their respective positions, stating that balancing political considerations with competence was part of the government’s reset agenda.
“Balancing and competence are part of the reset,” he stated.
He emphasised that CARE Ghana has worked closely with the Electoral Commission, the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) and political parties over the years.
He added that the organisation had also pursued legal action to test aspects of electoral law, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s electoral system.
Mr Addo therefore urged the public to focus on the substance of concerns raised about the Electoral Commission rather than allowing partisan considerations to dominate discussions about the institution’s independence and credibility.
Story by Afornorfe Lucy
