Vickie Bright, a former advisor to ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor, has expressed concern over growing public mistrust in Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), citing perceived political affiliations of some of its senior officials with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). According to her, such associations risk eroding the Commission's credibility and the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process.
Ms. Bright, who served as Deputy Minister of State at the Presidency during the Kufuor administration and was once an NPP parliamentary aspirant for Okaikoi South, made the remarks during an appearance on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, June 28. Her comments come amid renewed calls—especially from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia—for a complete overhaul of the EC to restore neutrality.
Calling for what she described as a "reset" of the EC, Ms. Bright emphasized the need to return the institution to one that is "fit for purpose." She drew a contrast between the current leadership and the tenure of former EC Chairman Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, under whom she noted the EC operated with greater public confidence and fewer controversies.
“I understand the sentiments being expressed,” she said, referencing Asiedu Nketia’s concerns. “Back then, we didn't have all this drama. People respected the Electoral Commission. And it is crucial that in any country, the electoral commission is perceived as competent, fair, and independent.”
She added that over the years, especially under the current leadership, that essential perception of impartiality has diminished. “People are now questioning the EC’s neutrality—and that’s a major problem.”
Ms. Bright pointed to irregularities in recent electoral events to support her concerns. “Whole constituencies have gone unrepresented for years, which flies in the face of our constitutional mandate,” she lamented. “SALL [Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi] went without representation for four years. Even now, six months after elections, Ablekuma North still has no MP.”
She also referenced disputes in other constituencies such as "337 and 62" as examples of electoral inconsistencies that further damage the Commission’s reputation.
On the issue of bias, Ms. Bright was unequivocal: “We know that some senior officials within the EC have affiliations with the ruling party, and that complicates everything. It doesn’t help build confidence.”
While she acknowledged that every citizen has the right to a political opinion, she stressed that active political involvement should disqualify individuals from occupying leadership roles in institutions where neutrality is critical. “If someone has been actively involved in partisan politics, then is later appointed to a senior role in the EC, it naturally raises concerns among the public,” she explained.
Beyond questions of neutrality, Ms. Bright also cited troubling incidents such as procurement-related controversies and the violence that marred the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election—an event thoroughly investigated by the Emile Short Commission.
Although the EC is not directly responsible for election security, she argued that its handling of certain processes contributed to the violence and confusion. “Certain decisions and actions taken by the Commission played a role in what happened,” she said.
In a revealing moment on air, when the show’s host Samson Lardy Anyenini asked her to confirm her political background, Ms. Bright did not shy away from her affiliation but insisted on the need for candour. “The law is the law,” she said. “If things aren’t working as they should, we have a duty to speak the truth—no matter where we come from.”
Her candid remarks signal a departure from the dominant narrative within the NPP and reflect broader concerns within civil society about the EC’s independence and capacity to oversee credible elections moving forward.
Ms. Bright also used the opportunity to voice support for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which is currently investigating several high-profile individuals, including former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. She pushed back against suggestions that the OSP’s actions are politically motivated.
“People must understand that the OSP has a mandate, and it must be allowed to function without interference,” she said. “These investigations should not be dismissed as persecution. We must uphold the rule of law.”
Mr. Ofori-Atta, a cousin of former President Akufo-Addo, was appointed as Finance Minister in January 2017 but was removed from office in February 2024 after mounting pressure from the public and factions within his own party.
Ms. Bright’s statements reflect a bold call for institutional accountability, impartiality, and transparency as Ghana prepares for upcoming elections, urging that restoring confidence in the EC and respecting anti-corruption bodies must be a national priority.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem