NPP communicator Mike Oquaye Jnr has questioned Emelia Afi Agbenyo’s suitability for an Electoral Commission role, arguing that her alleged longstanding ties to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) raise doubts about her neutrality.
Oquaye cited Agbenyo’s involvement in student politics and previous work as a political assistant to a former deputy education minister as reasons he believes her political background should be scrutinised.
He argued that the role requires a person whose independence is not only established but also perceived by the public.
“I’m sure the green human being cannot be independent of a situation where there’s green, there’s blue and then there are other political parties,” he said on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, using party colours to describe what he considers the political affiliations surrounding the appointment.
Oquaye also questioned whether the appointment could inspire public confidence in the Electoral Commission, stressing that the perception of bias matters even where wrongdoing has not been established.
“Where is the neutrality perception?” he asked.
He maintained that a person’s professional qualifications alone would not resolve concerns about perceived political allegiance.
Oquaye further cited calls from the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) for Agbenyo to resign or for the President to reconsider the appointment.
He urged Agbenyo to consider stepping aside, arguing that doing so would help protect public confidence in the electoral process.
“Madam Afi Agbenyo, if you also have ears to hear, listen to CODEO and the others. Resign honourably,” he said.
