By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Oct. 12, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama on Monday swore in into office two Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC), charging them to fulfill their constitutional mandate without fear or favour towards any political party, any candidate.
They are: Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, a former Director of Finance at the EC and a Law lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Mrs Emelia Afi Agbenyo, an International Development Corporation Management Consultant with many years of experience.
Their appointment follows the resignation of Dr Bossman Asare, a Deputy Chairperson of the EC in-charge of Corporate Affairs and the attainment of pension age by Mr Samuel Tettey, a Deputy Chairperson of the EC in-charge of Operations.
The swearing-in ceremony, which took place at the Presidency in Accra, was witnessed by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Mrs Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the EC and Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“As President, I expect no preferential treatment from the Electoral Commission for myself, my party, or my government. I expect an institution that applies the same standards to everyone and protects Ghanaians’ right to choose their leaders freely,” he stated, as he congratulated them on their appointments and the solemn commitments they had made to the people of Ghana.
“You assume office in an institution whose work touches the very foundation of our democracy,” he explained.
The President, therefore, charged them to ensure that every eligible citizen participated in electoral processes, and that every valid vote counted, “for the will of the people is faithfully reflected in their electoral outcomes.”
He encouraged them to bring their experience in building teams, managing partnerships, and translating policy into action to the service of the Commission and the Ghanaian people.
“Together, your two backgrounds offer complementary strengths. The task ahead is to translate those strengths into diligent, impartial, and effective service,” he said.
President Mahama said the authority that accompanied their office must always be exercised with fairness, restraint, and fidelity to the law.
They should have the courage to uphold what was right, even when it was inconvenient for those involved and urged them to make transparency and constructive engagement central to your work, he stated, adding, “Listen carefully to political parties, civil society, the media, and citizens.”
President Mahama said credible elections required sustained preparation, accurate records-keeping, well-trained officials, reliable logistics, secured systems, and careful resource management, and demanded attentions long before the day of polling.
Dr Asamoah, on behalf of his fellow Deputy Chairpersons of the Commission, expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the confidence he had reposed in them.
“We are immensely honoured by the trust placed in us as part of the leadership of the electoral commission of Ghana, an institution that lies at the very heart of our democracy,” he said.
“We come to this rule, not for personal gains, but to give back to our beloved nation, Ghana.”
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei