The Bono Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kwame Baffoe Abronye says the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will not appreciate any appointment made by President Akufo-Addo to the Electoral Commission.
His statement comes after the NDC accused the President of swearing in individuals who were known to be affiliates of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the office of the EC, an institution that was supposed to be a non-partisan body that oversees national elections.
But reacting to these claims, Mr Abronye said the NDC does not appreciate anything the President does.
According to him, the President made the appointment based on the advice of the Council of State.
In an interview with Accra-based Hot FM, Mr Abronye argued that the then NDC government led by Ex-President John Dramani Mahama appointed a former NDC chairman’s daughter to serve as commissioner at EC.
“Where in the constitution can one site a breach of law in the current appointment made by the president?” he quizzed.
President Akufo-Addo appointed three persons to the Electoral Commission on March 21, 2023, to make the 7-member commission complete for a definite job.
The issue later turned out to be a bash as some of the appointees are perceived as NPP members after a press conference by the Bono regional NDC caucus.
Three new members; Salima Ahmed Tijani, Dr Peter Appiahene and Rev Akua Ofori Boateng, were appointed to the Electoral Commission of Ghana to replace retired commissioners.
Their appointment is in line with Article 43 (1 and 2) of the 1992 constitution which states that, “there shall be an Electoral Commission which shall consist of a Chairman, two Deputy Chairmen, and four other members.
The members of the Commission shall be appointed by President under article 70 of this Constitution.
The EC is currently chaired by Jean Mensa, with Dr. Bossman Eric Asare and Samuel Tettey serving as her Deputies responsible for Corporate Affairs and Operations respectively.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has expressed his confidence in the three newly sworn-in EC members and asked the EC not to be deterred by criticisms against it. He urged the electoral management body to focus on the expectations of Ghanaians and work to ensure that the will of the Ghanaian people is upheld.
