President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kweku Asamoah as the Electoral Commission’s (EC) new Deputy Chairpersons, tasking them with ensuring fairness, political neutrality and respect for the law.

At the ceremony on Monday, October 12, 2026, the President stressed that the two officials must remain independent in the performance of their duties and protect the right of every Ghanaian to freely choose their leaders.

“So let me state clearly. Your duty is to the Republic of Ghana and its people. You must discharge your responsibilities without favour towards any political party, any candidate or government,” he said.

“The authority that accompanies your office must always be exercised with fairness, restraint and fidelity to the law.”

President Mahama also made it clear that the Electoral Commission must not give preferential treatment to any political party or government, including his own.

“As President, I expect no preferential treatment from the Electoral Commission for myself, my party, or my government. I expect an institution that applies the same standards to everyone and protects Ghanaians’ right to choose their leaders freely,” he said.

He challenged the new deputy chairpersons to remain committed to fairness and accountability, even when enforcing the law could work against those in positions of authority.

“You must have the courage to uphold what is right even when it is inconvenient for those in power,” he added.

Madam Agbenyo is the Deputy Director for Operations at the Ghana TVET Service. Dr Asamoah, meanwhile, lectures in law at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Before his appointment, Dr Asamoah served the Electoral Commission in various senior capacities, including Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre and Head of Audit.

The appointments come after Dr Bossman Asare resigned from his position overseeing Corporate Affairs, effective July 31, 2026, while Samuel Tettey, the former Deputy Chairperson responsible for Operations, retired upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.

The two appointments are expected to fill the vacancies in the EC’s top leadership as the commission continues its work of managing elections and protecting the integrity of Ghana’s electoral system.