Policy analyst and university lecturer Dr Razak Kojo Opoku has applauded the appointment of Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), describing it as appropriate given his extensive experience and previous service at the Commission.
Dr Opoku said Dr Asamoah’s return to the EC headquarters, eight years after his controversial transfer to the Ashanti Regional Office, marked a significant development in his career, with the former Director of Finance now assuming a higher responsibility as one of the Commission’s top decision-makers.
In a Facebook post, Dr Opoku revealed how Dr Asamoah endured a difficult period under the Jean Mensa-led administration, which allegedly led to his painful transfer from the EC headquarters eight years ago.
He further questioned the prolonged vacancy in the substantive Director of Finance position at the headquarters after Dr Asamoah’s departure, describing the situation as inconsistent with sound corporate governance practices.
“The appointment of Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as the new Deputy Chairman of the EC is perfectly in order. He really had a tough moment under Jean Mensa’s administration,” Dr Opoku wrote.
He added that the former finance director’s return with greater responsibility would require him to work closely with the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa.
Dr Opoku’s comments have drawn attention to Dr Asamoah’s previous experience at the Commission and the circumstances surrounding his departure from its headquarters.
Experienced Electoral Administrator
Dr Asamoah, a law lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), brings more than 17 years of experience spanning public service, legal practice, academia, finance and electoral governance to his new role.
Before his transfer to the Ashanti Regional Office, he served in several senior positions at the EC, including Director of Finance, Director of the Training Centre and Head of Audit.
His experience includes participation in the management of the 2012 and 2016 general elections, the 2010 and 2015 district-level elections, and the 2019 referendum that led to the creation of six new regions.
His responsibilities involved electoral administration, budget management, financial controls and the development of training programmes for election officials.
During the 2016 general elections, Dr Asamoah reportedly developed an Election Results Management System after the Electronic Results Transmission System encountered difficulties. The replacement system was subsequently used in the declaration of the presidential election results.
He has also served as an instructor for the Association of African Election Administrators, contributing to efforts to strengthen electoral administration across the continent.
Legal, Financial and Academic Background
Beyond his electoral experience, Dr Asamoah is a lawyer, chartered accountant and certified economist, with expertise in public finance, legal practice, institutional management and policy analysis.
He practises at Asante-Krobea & Associates, also known as AKA Legal, where he handles civil and criminal litigation, corporate advisory services, legal drafting and alternative dispute resolution.
He is a member of the Ghana Bar Association, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, and the Institute of Certified Economists, Ghana.
Academically, he lectures in law at KNUST and Wisconsin International University College and serves as an adjunct lecturer at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
At KAIPTC, he served as the course consultant for the development of a Master of Arts programme in Electoral Policy and Security. He also facilitates the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission Course, which prepares participants for election observation assignments.
His professional engagements extend beyond Ghana, including consultancy and training work with institutions in Nigeria and other African countries.
Dr Asamoah holds a PhD in Political Economy and Diplomacy, with doctoral research examining electoral administration and conflict resolution in Africa through a comparative study of Ghana and Kenya.
His other qualifications include a Master of Laws in Commercial and Corporate Law, a postgraduate diploma in International Business Law, a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance, a Bachelor of Laws and a first-class Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He is also pursuing another PhD at the University of Ghana’s Faculty of Law.
Leadership Changes at the EC
Dr Asamoah’s appointment follows vacancies created by the departure of two deputy chairpersons of the Commission.
Dr Bossman Asare, who was responsible for Corporate Affairs, resigned effective July 31, 2026, to return to academia at the University of Ghana, while Samuel Tettey, who oversaw Operations, reached the mandatory retirement age.
The changes, announced by the government in June 2026, created openings in the EC’s senior leadership at a time when the Commission continues to oversee key aspects of Ghana’s electoral administration.
Dr Asamoah’s return to the headquarters, this time as Deputy Chairperson, places him in a position to bring his institutional knowledge, financial expertise and electoral experience to the Commission’s leadership.
