Asamoah Gyan was on your 2024 manifesto committee - Tanko jabs NPP over EC criticism

NDC Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Rashid Tanko Computer, has cited former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan’s reported role on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 manifesto sports committee to defend President John Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.

Tanko argued that the NPP’s association with Gyan, who missed a crucial penalty at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, undermined its criticism of Ms Agbenyo’s alleged political affiliation.

“Asamoah was a member of their sports committee on this manifesto. Go and check in 2024,” he said, challenging the NPP to verify the former footballer’s reported involvement.

Responding to questions about whether Ms Agbenyo was an NDC member, Mr Tanko insisted that the President had appointed qualified people to fill vacancies at the Electoral Commission.

“I am telling you that the President has appointed two competent persons to come and fill the vacant positions that we have,” he said on Joy FM.

He maintained that the appointees were qualified to perform their duties, arguing that their suitability should be considered in assessing the appointments.

The remarks come amid criticism from NPP Communications Director Dennis Miracles Aboagye, who has questioned Ms Agbenyo’s political neutrality and cited her alleged links to the NDC.

Tanko’s defence draws a comparison with the NPP’s reported inclusion of Gyan in its manifesto sports committee, arguing that the opposition party should also account for its own associations when questioning the political affiliations of presidential appointees.