“Both NPP And NDC Have Lost Elections Under EC Chairs They Appointed” – Dr Callistus Mahama

According to a report by TV3 Ghana on Thursday, October 29, 2026, Dr. Callistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to President John Dramani Mahama, has urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to exercise greater humility in their discussions about appointments to Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC).

Dr. Mahama made the remarks amid growing disagreements over the appointment of officials to the country’s electoral management body and concerns about its independence and political neutrality.

He argued that the electoral history of Ghana provides important lessons for both political parties, particularly because each has experienced defeat under an Electoral Commission chairperson appointed during its administration.

In 2015, former President John Dramani Mahama appointed Charlotte Osei as EC Chairperson. However, the NDC lost the 2016 presidential election to the NPP, led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Similarly, in 2018, former President Akufo-Addo appointed Jean Mensa as Chairperson of the Commission. Despite that appointment, the NPP lost the 2024 general election, allowing John Dramani Mahama to return to power.

Dr. Mahama used these examples to challenge the perception that appointing an EC chairperson automatically gives the governing party an electoral advantage.

He maintained that both political parties should recognise that presidential appointments do not determine election outcomes, as the ultimate decision rests with Ghanaian voters.

According to his argument, the experiences of the NDC and NPP should encourage them to approach discussions about electoral appointments with greater restraint and consistency.

He also emphasised that appointments to constitutional institutions should come with responsibilities rather than political ownership. He argued that individuals appointed to the Electoral Commission are expected to perform their duties independently, regardless of the authority responsible for their appointment.

Meanwhile, the debate surrounding the Commission has intensified following the appointment of Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairpersons. The NPP has raised concerns about Agbenyo’s perceived political affiliation and called for her withdrawal.

Dr. Mahama’s intervention has therefore renewed discussions about institutional independence, electoral credibility and the responsibility of political parties to support their allegations with evidence.

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