Former Asante Akim North MP Andy Appiah-Kubi has warned that public perception of political affiliations can undermine confidence in the Electoral Commission (EC), even when appointees are competent and perform their duties professionally.
Speaking on TV3’s Keypoints on October 17, 2026, Appiah-Kubi weighed in on the controversy surrounding Emelia Agbenyo’s appointment as Deputy Chairperson of the EC, arguing that appointments to independent institutions must protect public trust.
“In most cases, it is not the qualifications of people that matter, but perceptions of the populace towards such appointments,” he said.
He explained that appointees could discharge their responsibilities credibly but still struggle to gain public acceptance because of suspicions about their political affiliations.
According to him, such perceptions could weaken the integrity of the institutions they are appointed to serve and influence whether the public considers their performance credible.
Appiah-Kubi urged political leaders to prioritise the image and independence of state institutions when making appointments, rather than focusing solely on whether their choices meet constitutional requirements.
He also called for a shift from partisanship to statesmanship, saying Ghana needed to lower its political temperature to create an environment conducive to national development.
