Don’t appoint your cheerleader as referee

President Mahama's decision to appoint Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission has sparked debate about whether political allegiances should influence such appointments. Reports suggest Agbenyo's previous involvement in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign and her social media posts supporting President Mahama.

While her qualifications are not the primary concern, the appointment raises questions about her ability to maintain impartiality in an institution tasked with ensuring credible, transparent elections. The concern is whether selecting someone with a known political affiliation demonstrates good judgment when the role requires a commitment to impartiality regardless of the candidates.

Appointing someone who may be perceived as favoring one political party over another could create a conflict of interest, eroding public trust in the electoral process. The integrity of the election system is paramount, and appointing an individual who could be seen as biased could have far-reaching consequences, potentially leading to accusations of manipulation, decreased public confidence, and even threats to national security.

While President Mahama has assured that the new deputies will treat everyone fairly and avoid preferential treatment, the appointment still creates an unnecessary credibility burden for both the appointee and the institution. The President should consider reevaluating this appointment, explaining the safeguards used to evaluate political impartiality, and selecting a candidate whose abilities are matched by an unwavering commitment to fairness and impartiality.