Ghana's Electoral Commission (EC) has two new Deputy Chairpersons. President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, October 12, 2026, swore in Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, according to reports by MyJoyOnline and 3News.
According to 3News, the two appointees replace Dr Eric Bossman Asare and Mr Samuel Tettey.
Speaking after the swearing-in, Dr Asamoah pledged that the new deputies would carry out their mandate impartially. "Mr President, we seek your support as we pledge to deliver on our mandate without fear or favour," he said, according to MyJoyOnline.
He said rebuilding trust in the Commission was a duty, not a choice. "Restoring your confidence in this Commission is therefore not an option. It is an obligation imposed on us," he said.
Dr Asamoah identified misinformation, disinformation and fake news as the biggest threats to electoral processes. He said credible elections depend on many players, including political parties, Parliament, the security services, civil society, the judiciary, the media and citizens. "A credible election is therefore the responsibility of this Commission," he said, while calling on all stakeholders to play their part.
He also quoted the American political scientist Larry J. Sabato: "Every election is determined by the people who show up to vote."
According to a profile published by 3News, Emelia Afi Agbenyo was born in Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region and speaks English, Ewe and Twi.
Before her appointment, she served as Deputy Director General for Operations at the Ghana TVET Service from February 2025, overseeing 261 technical and vocational institutions and about 11,000 staff, the profile says.
Her earlier career includes several years with GIZ Ghana as a technical advisor on inclusive technical and vocational education, and as the organisation's national gender focal person. She has also worked with the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme and KOICA, and served as Executive Secretary of the Institute of Public Relations Ghana.
She holds a BA in Psychology and Linguistics and an MA in Education Management and Leadership from the University of Ghana, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in International Relations at GIMPA, according to 3News. She has also served as a commissioner of the National Development Planning Commission.
MyJoyOnline did not publish detailed biographical information on Dr Asamoah. Talk Talk will update this story as more details become available.
The Electoral Commission is the independent constitutional body responsible for conducting public elections and referendums in Ghana, as well as registering voters and demarcating electoral boundaries. It is led by a chairperson, two deputy chairpersons and four other members.
The Commission's deputies typically oversee key areas of its work, such as operations and corporate services, although MyJoyOnline did not specify the portfolios of the new appointees.
Under Ghana's Constitution, members of the Electoral Commission are appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Council of State. Once appointed, they enjoy security of tenure, which is designed to protect the Commission's independence from political pressure.
The EC's credibility is central to Ghana's reputation as one of Africa's most stable democracies. Disputes over voter registers, results collation and the Commission's independence have featured in recent election cycles, and political parties closely watch appointments to its leadership.
The new deputies take office with the next general election due in 2028. Their early priorities are likely to include voter registration, public education and building trust with political parties ahead of that vote.
Dr Asamoah's focus on misinformation also reflects a growing concern among election bodies worldwide, as false claims spread quickly on social media during campaigns.
