Haruna Iddrisu speaks on controversy surrounding Agbenyo’s appointment as Deputy EC Chair

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has described President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Electoral Commissioner as constitutionally appropriate, but said critics have the right to question the decision.

According to him, there should be the existence of a legislation that clearly defines the qualifications required for people seeking appointment to the Electoral Commission.

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Speaking on Joy FM on October 13, 2026, Iddrisu said he knows Agbenyo well and had worked with her when she served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), in charge of operations, under his ministry.

“I know Afi very well, and I've worked with Afi. Afi, as I said yesterday, was working under my ministry, under TVET services as a Deputy to the Chief Executive of TVET in charge of operations,” he said.

Iddrisu said questions about the appointment should include whether it complies with the Constitution, particularly Article 45, which provides for the Electoral Commission and its two deputy chairpersons.

He argued that legislation was needed to establish clear eligibility requirements for people seeking to serve on the Commission.

“Beyond Article 45 provides that there shall be an electoral commission which shall have two deputies. We must have legislation which then defines the threshold as to who can enter into the electoral commission,” he stated.

The Tamale South MP also stressed the need for EC members to be independent, courageous and committed to transparency.

“I just want an electoral commission that does not endanger democratic ethos and values. Persons who are independent, persons who are courageous, and persons who uphold the values of transparency,” he added.

While defending the appointment, Haruna Iddrisu acknowledged that critics had the right to question it, referring to the principle of fairness in political appointments.

“I think that the appointment is politically and constitutionally appropriate, but politically, people have the right to remind us that if you seek equity, do equity,” he said.

Iddrisu also said conduct that would be unacceptable for a Deputy EC Chairperson while in office should be distinguished from actions taken before the person’s appointment.

“If she does that whilst in office, that would be unacceptable as deputy electoral commissioner, but prior to it...” he argued.

Agbenyo has come under heavy scrutiny on social media following her swearing-in and the resurfacing of posts she had made in 2024 prior to the general election, where she was seen heavily campaigning for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

One such post shared on X and other social media platforms saw Emelia Afi Agbenyo state that she was willing to vote against the Akufo-Addo government for what she described as an administration that "ridiculed" the pains of Ghanaians.

"I will be voting against a government that ridiculed the pains of the people. Imposing a nuisance levy on citizens is not a thing to celebrate. Governance is no joke; citizens are not your enemies," she posted.

Also, an article published by GhanaWeb on August 25, 2024, has resurfaced online, highlighting how Emelia Afi Agbenyo played a pivotal role in the NDC's campaign ahead of the 2024 general election.

From TVET to EC: Meet Emelia Afi Agbenyo, the newly appointed Deputy EC Chairperson

Before the 2024 general election, Emelia Afi Agbenyo served alongside Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Sylvester Mensah on the NDC's governance team as a sectoral spokesperson for the Resetting Ghana manifesto.

Some netizens took to social media to raise concerns about her appointment, arguing that she is politically inclined and would not hesitate to rig the 2028 general election in favour of the NDC.

MAG/VPO

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