Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu has defended the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), describing it as part of President John Dramani Mahama’s reset agenda to address what he considers an imbalance in the composition of the Commission.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM, shared on X on October 13, 2026, Kwakye Ofosu accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of fuelling controversy over Agbenyo’s appointment, arguing that the party had previously appointed people with political affiliations to positions at the electoral management body.
He said he was prepared to challenge the NPP’s criticism, insisting that the party should also account for appointments made during its time in government.
“I have challenged the NPP, and indeed, I will address the NPP because they are the ones who have started this narrative and are creating the impression that they have bought the appointment of people with personal affiliation to the EC,” he said.
Kwakye Ofosu argued that Agbenyo’s appointment should be viewed within the broader context of the government’s reset agenda, which he said includes correcting what he described as a lopsided representation at state institutions.
He questioned why concerns were being raised about the appointment of an individual affiliated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) when, in his assessment, the EC’s existing membership had a significant NPP presence.
“The other issue is that, you see, a reset could also mean balancing a lopsided state institution,” he said.
He went on to question the political composition of the seven-member Commission, arguing that the number of commissioners he considers affiliated with the NPP raises questions about the balance of representation.
“Why is it acceptable for us to have a situation where, out of seven commissioners who manage Ghana’s elections, almost four of them are NPP? What is wrong with tilting the balance?” he added.
His remarks amount to a defence of the appointment as an effort to address what he sees as an existing imbalance, while also intensifying the debate over political affiliations and appointments to the body responsible for overseeing Ghana’s elections.
The controversy has centred on whether party affiliations should influence appointments to the EC, an institution whose independence is important to public confidence in the electoral process. Kwakye Ofosu’s comments reflect the government’s position in the debate, while the NPP’s concerns remain part of the wider political dispute surrounding Agbenyo’s appointment.
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