The Executive Director of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has defended the appointment of Emelia Affi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), urging the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to allow her to perform her duties.
He described Ms Agbenyo as competent, diligent and qualified for the position, arguing that her professional credentials and work ethic should not be questioned because of her perceived political affiliations.
His comments follow the appointment and swearing-in of Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Ms Agbenyo as Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission by President John Dramani Mahama.
The appointments have attracted criticism from the opposition NPP and other stakeholders, including the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), over concerns about Ms Agbenyo’s perceived political affiliations and her previous role in communicating for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, October 17, Mr Amoah accused the NPP of applying double standards, arguing that the party had defended appointments of individuals it considered politically exposed while in government.
“I think that they should leave Madam Emelia Agbenyo to work. Because if you look at the stream of appointments done by the previous government that the NPP defended, and today they are pontificating righteousness, I cringe,” he said.
He cited the appointment of Dr Bossman Asare to the Electoral Commission, which he said had also attracted public discussion, arguing that the NPP had defended his competence at the time.
Mr Amoah said he was surprised that the party was now questioning Ms Agbenyo’s suitability for the position, insisting that her professional abilities were well established.
“She’s very diligent. And so if it comes to what she brings as a quality representation at the table, no Ghanaian can question that. Even back in the university, you could tell this is a woman who is extremely meticulous,” he said.
He further praised Ms Agbenyo’s work ethic and said her qualifications should not be dismissed because of her political background.
“She’s got a very good work ethic. So on a personal level, look, I am not sure the NPP can even question her competence or credentials. I don’t think that Emelia is not qualified; she’s truly qualified,” he added.
Mr Amoah warned against what he described as a tendency to portray membership or association with the NDC as inherently disqualifying, arguing that political affiliation should not automatically be equated with incompetence.
“You see, it will begin to look as though if you are NDC in this country, then it becomes a criminal organisation, right?” he asked.
He maintained that Ms Agbenyo should be given the opportunity to carry out her responsibilities as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, rather than face criticism based on her perceived political leanings.
