Accra:Ross Owusu, a member of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) legal team, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to avoid repeating what he considers to be the mistakes of the previous NPP government. This comes in light of the recent appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
According to Ghana Web, Owusu expressed concerns that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, led by Mahama, should not emulate the NPP's past actions, especially regarding appointments that might compromise the independence of state institutions.
Owusu, speaking on TV3's Keypoints on October 17, 2026, highlighted that the NDC had promised a political reset, which raised public expectations for the Mahama administration to distance itself from practices it criticized while in opposition. He questioned the rationale behind Mahama's decision to make an appointment similar to those he previously opposed under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, wondering why the President would risk disappointing the public in this manner.
He also emphasized the President's opportunity to reconsider the appointment to affirm his commitment to democratic governance and the Electoral Commission's independence. Owusu dismissed the notion that the NPP's past should deter it from criticizing the current administration and insisted that the NPP's previous mistakes should serve as lessons for the NDC.
Owusu concluded by advising Mahama to heed public concerns about the appointment, stressing that the government's dedication to a political reset should be evident in its actions. He warned that appointments perceived as politically motivated could erode trust in the Electoral Commission, an institution vital to Ghana's democratic process. This follows specific concerns from some NPP members regarding Agbenyo's alleged political alignment with the NDC.