New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart Andy Appiah-Kubi has proposed reforms to allow independent state institutions to appoint their own members, arguing that presidential appointments can create doubts about their neutrality.
His proposal comes amid the debate surrounding President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
Appiah-Kubi said institutions expected to operate independently should have appointment systems that reduce their reliance on the presidency.
“If we expect institutions to be independent, let’s save such institutions for independent organisations doing the appointment,” he said on TV3’s Keypoints on October 17, 2026.
He cited the judicial system and civil service as examples of institutions that could have greater control over the selection of their members.
According to him, presidential involvement in appointments can create public perceptions of political influence, even when there is no evidence that an appointee has acted improperly.
Appiah-Kubi also warned that changes in government could lead a new president to reverse appointments made by a predecessor, creating uncertainty and undermining institutional stability.
He said giving independent institutions greater control over their appointments could help prevent political transitions from repeatedly disrupting their leadership.
The former MP maintained that reforms should focus on strengthening institutions so they can serve the country beyond the tenure of individual presidents.
