Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), questioning whether the decision reflects the governance reforms the President promised Ghanaians.
Kpebu argued that Mahama’s victory in the 2024 general election, by about 1.7 million votes, gave him a strong mandate to pursue the changes associated with his Reset agenda. He said the appointment appeared inconsistent with that commitment.
“You won the last election by about 1.7 million votes. So why are you getting it wrong?” he asked.
Speaking on JoyNews, the lawyer described the appointment as a reversal of the President’s promise to change the way the country is governed, particularly regarding concerns about perceived political influence in appointments to the EC.
“This one is the Reset in reverse,” Kpebu said, repeating the phrase to underline his objection to the decision.
He argued that the appointment risked undermining the broader reform agenda Mahama had presented to voters, especially given the importance of public confidence in the institution responsible for managing elections.
Kpebu also raised concerns about the implications of the decision for the President’s legacy, saying Mahama still had time in office to reconsider his approach and remain consistent with the changes he had promised.
“This is running the country in reverse,” he said, adding that the appointment was “not sustainable”.
The lawyer urged the President to reflect on the decision, arguing that Ghanaians had expected a departure from practices Mahama had criticised while in opposition.
The appointment has become a subject of public debate, with critics questioning the potential political implications and supporters defending the government’s approach. Kpebu’s comments add to the discussion over how EC leadership appointments should be made to protect the Commission’s perceived independence and public trust.
