The search for the politically unblemished: Are we asking the impossible of public appointees?
The controversy surrounding President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) raises a question that deserves serious national reflection. How do we determine whether a person appointed to a sensitive public office can be trusted to discharge the responsibilities of that office fairly, independently and without political…
Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah were appointed as Deputy Chairpersons of Ghana's Electoral Commission by President John Dramani Mahama. This appointment has sparked debate over the concept of a "politically unblemished" individual suitable for public office. While public wants impartiality in judges, electoral commissioners, and public officials, the challenge arises in finding someone with no political associations, opinions or perceived sympathies.
This idea of being "politically unblemished" can become elusive, as an appointee may have a political history but still possess the integrity required to serve impartially. Therefore, deciding on a candidate's suitability should not solely rely on their background, but on their conduct, decisions and willingness to uphold the law, even when it is unpopular.
Political neutrality must be demonstrated through actions, not just background. MTI acknowledges concerns about consistency in appointments, urging political parties to uphold principles regardless of power. However, mere consistency will not guarantee institutional independence. Institutions must be designed to withstand human frailties and challenges.
This means strong systems to prevent interference and misconduct, not just personal integrity of appointees.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
