President John Dramani Mahama has urged newly sworn-in Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC), Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, to uphold electoral integrity, ensure fairness and strengthen public confidence in Ghana’s elections. He said their appointments came with a significant responsibility to protect the foundations of Ghana’s democracy by ensuring that every eligible citizen had the opportunity to participate in elections and every valid vote was counted.

Speaking at their swearing-in ceremony on Monday, October 12, President Mahama stressed that the credibility of elections depended largely on the integrity, competence and fairness of the Electoral Commission. He urged the two officials to discharge their duties with professionalism and accountability to ensure that the will of the people was accurately reflected in electoral outcomes.

Mahama Emphasises Electoral Integrity

President Mahama highlighted the importance of maintaining transparency, impartiality and accountability in the administration of elections, noting that the Electoral Commission played a critical role in safeguarding Ghana’s democratic system. He said the two Deputy Chairpersons had an important responsibility to strengthen the Commission’s institutional capacity and ensure that electoral processes were conducted in a manner that inspired public trust. The President encouraged both officials to apply their professional expertise to improving the Commission’s operations, strengthening electoral systems and promoting fairness in the discharge of its constitutional mandate.

Dr. Asamoah’s Experience in Law, Finance and Electoral Administration

President Mahama highlighted Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah’s background in law, accountancy, economics and election administration, noting that his experience within the Electoral Commission’s audit, finance and training departments had equipped him with practical knowledge of the institution’s operations. He encouraged Dr. Asamoah to use his expertise in election administration, results management and electoral officer training to strengthen institutional systems, improve staff preparation and ensure the responsible management of public resources.

Credentials of Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah

A. Academic Qualifications

1. PhD in Political Economy and Diplomacy.
2. Master of Laws (LLM) in Commercial and Corporate Law.
3. Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance.
4. Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
5. Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accounting, First Class.
6. Dr. is currently pursuing a second PhD at the University of Ghana’s Faculty of Law.

B. Professional Credentials

1. Barrister and Solicitor.
2. Chartered Accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG).
3. Member of the Institute of Certified Economists, Ghana.
4. Member of the Ghana Bar Association.

C. Professional Experience

1. Former Director of Finance at the Electoral Commission.
2. Former Director of the Electoral Commission’s Training Centre.
3. Former Head of Audit at the Electoral Commission.
4. Lecturer in the Department of Commercial Law at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
5. Lecturer at Wisconsin International University College.
6. Adjunct lecturer at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
7. Legal practitioner at Asante-Krobea & Associates (AKA Legal).

Dr. Asamoah has more than 17 years of experience spanning electoral administration, law, finance, public service and academia.

Emelia Afi Agbenyo’s Background in Public Administration and Institutional Leadership

President Mahama also commended Emelia Afi Agbenyo for her experience in public administration, institutional leadership, development cooperation and stakeholder engagement. He noted that her leadership at the Ghana TVET Service, which involved coordinating nationwide operations and supporting policy implementation, had prepared her for the demands of an institution requiring effective planning and coordination across the country. The President urged Ms Agbenyo to apply her leadership and organisational skills to strengthening the Commission’s operations and ensuring the effective administration of elections.

Credentials of Emelia Afi Agbenyo

A. Academic Qualifications

1. Master of International Relations at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), reportedly in progress as of October 2026.
2. Master of Arts (MA) in Education Management and Leadership, University of Ghana, Legon, obtained in 2020.
3. Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology and Linguistics, University of Ghana, Legon, obtained in 2008.
4. West African Certificate Examination (WACE), Chemu Secondary School, Tema, obtained in 2002.

B. Professional Credentials and Training

1. Member of the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana, since 2022.
2. Training in Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Policy through GIZ Ghana in 2016.
3. Professional experience in strategic leadership, public-sector management, gender inclusion, disability inclusion and international development.

C. Professional Experience

1. Deputy Director-General for Operations at the Ghana TVET Service, appointed in February 2025.
2. Commissioner of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), from May 2025.
3. Independent Consultant with GIZ Ghana.
4. Portfolio-Wide Inclusive/Gender Analyst at GIZ Ghana, from July 2023 to March 2024.
5. Board Member of the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA), from August 2025.
6. Board Member of the Africa Trade Chamber, from October 2023.

Ms Agbenyo’s professional background focuses on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), organisational leadership, development planning, gender equality, disability inclusion and public-sector administration.

Call for Competence, Accountability and Fairness

President Mahama urged both Deputy Chairpersons to bring their respective expertise to bear on the work of the Electoral Commission, emphasising the importance of competence, accountability and fairness in the administration of elections. He stressed that protecting electoral integrity required strong institutional systems, effective coordination and a commitment to ensuring that every eligible citizen could exercise their democratic right.

The President also underscored the need for responsible management of public resources and continuous improvement in the preparation of electoral officers. He said the ultimate responsibility of the Commission was to ensure that the will of the Ghanaian people was accurately reflected in electoral outcomes.

The two Deputy Chairpersons are expected to contribute their professional experience and institutional knowledge to strengthening the Electoral Commission and sustaining public confidence in Ghana’s democratic processes.