Founder and President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has defended the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), describing her as an intelligent, strong-willed individual who possesses the character to resist political manipulation.
Speaking on Radio Gold, Mr Cudjoe acknowledged concerns about Ms Agbenyo’s previous involvement in activities of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) but argued that her political background should not overshadow her professional competence and personal integrity.
His comments follow President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Ms Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah as Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission.
The appointments have generated public debate over the political neutrality of the Commission, particularly given its constitutional responsibility for organising and supervising elections in Ghana.
Ms Agbenyo previously served as Deputy Director for Operations at the Ghana TVET Service, where her work involved public administration, institutional coordination and inclusion programmes.
However, questions have been raised about her independence following her involvement in the NDC’s manifesto development process and her public support for the party and its presidential ticket.
Mr Cudjoe acknowledged these concerns, explaining that critics had cited her political activities as grounds for questioning whether she could discharge her responsibilities impartially.
“This is a woman we have seen being appointed a manifesto committee member, this is a woman who actually read part of the NDC’s manifesto at their congress, there’s a woman who has campaigned openly for the NDC… and so that is where we are coming from when we are saying we do not trust that she will be independent,” he recounted.
Despite these concerns, the IMANI President maintained that his personal knowledge of Ms Agbenyo gave him confidence in her ability to exercise independent judgement.
“People don’t know Afi that well… I know her very well… She’s not a rabid political person who makes noise politically… She’s a lady of class, elegance,” he said.
Mr Cudjoe disclosed that Ms Agbenyo was among the outstanding participants in IMANI’s SYPALA (Students and Young Professionals African Liberty Academy) leadership academy, which he said was established around 2007 and 2008.
He recalled that she participated in the programme alongside economist Dr Theo Acheampong and distinguished herself through her intellectual ability and leadership qualities.
“She was one of the outstanding students,” he said, describing her as highly intelligent and independent-minded.
He particularly emphasised her strength of character, insisting that she would not allow herself to be influenced into taking decisions that improperly favour a political party.
“Afi is a strong-willed lady, a very strong-willed lady and I don’t think anybody can manipulate her into doing anything shady for any particular party,” he stated.
Mr Cudjoe also referred to the tenure of former Deputy EC Chairperson Dr Bossman Asare, whose conduct he criticised as overly partisan.
He argued that there was a significant difference between the conduct he attributed to Dr Asare and the character he had come to know in Ms Agbenyo.
“There’s a gulf between that conduct and this… Afi would never do something like that,” he said.
The appointment of the new Deputy Chairpersons follows the departure of Dr Bossman Asare, who previously served as Deputy Chairperson responsible for Corporate Affairs, and Samuel Tettey, who held the position of Deputy Chairperson in charge of Operations.
Their replacement comes amid continuing public discussion about the independence of the Electoral Commission and the influence of political affiliations on appointments to constitutional bodies.
Mr Cudjoe maintained that although concerns about Ms Agbenyo’s previous political activities were understandable, they should be considered alongside her professional record, leadership qualities and personal integrity.
He expressed confidence that she would discharge her responsibilities independently and would not compromise the Commission’s constitutional mandate to advance the interests of any political party.
Story by Afornorfe Lucy
