The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) in collaboration with the STAR-Ghana Foundation, and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) are addressing the press to express concern and displeasure about recent appointments to the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) made by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and announced on March 20, 2023.
When it comes to trust and confidence in an Election Management Body, the composition and membership of the EMB matter greatly. Moreover, appearances and perception matter just as much as reality, especially as the reality of one’s impartiality or independence is often practically unprovable. Building and sustaining trust and confidence in an EMB is a delicate business. Because the impartiality or independence of an EMB or any of its officials is often difficult to establish or prove, appearances naturally assume great weight in assessing the independence or impartiality of an EMB or its officials.
It is our considered and strongly-held view and position that the appointment to the independent and nonpartisan EC of persons who are known partisans or who have a partisan cloud over their heads is inconsistent with the spirit of the Constitution. Furthermore, such appointments risk undermining cross-party and public trust and confidence in the EC and, thus, pose a danger to our evolving multi-party democracy. It is for all of the foregoing reasons that we register our disapproval of and opposition to the appointment of Dr. Peter Appiahene and Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani as members of the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
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