Ace journalist Dr. Kwesi Pratt Jnr has called for reforms to remove presidential influence from the appointment of officials of the Electoral Commission (EC), arguing that the current system fuels ‘needless’ political controversy.
Speaking on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo‘, Kwesi Pratt said Ghana must establish a mechanism that ensures the President is not the one appointing the EC Chairperson and deputies.
“The back-and-forth debate surrounding the appointment of EC officials is needless. We need to get to where the President won’t be the one to appoint the Electoral Commission Chairperson and its deputies,” he stressed.
Criticism of Mahama’s Appointment
Kwesi Pratt also criticised President John Dramani Mahama over the appointment of Madam Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Commissioner of the EC, questioning the optics and political implications.
“Ghana has a population of 35 million. Are we saying we can’t get anyone except someone who has endorsed the Party and its manifesto or was part of the NDC manifesto committee? I don’t understand,” he said.
While acknowledging that Madam Afi might perform her duties diligently, he insisted that the optics “don’t look good”
