Opinion: President Mahama must crack the whip on Sammy Gyamfi to uphold his code of conduct
Only days ago, President Mahama launched the Code as a cornerstone of his renewed commitment to good governance, ethical leadership,
In the wake of the viral video showing Mr Sammy Gyamfi, National Communications Officer of the NDC and Acting Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board, publicly distributing U.S. dollars to Evangelist Mama Pat (alias Agradaa) while flanked by uniformed police officers, the credibility of President John Mahama’s newly launched Code of Conduct for Appointees faces its first major test.
Only days ago, President Mahama launched the Code as a cornerstone of his renewed commitment to good governance, ethical leadership, and discipline among public officials. The Code emphasises modesty, transparency, and conduct befitting public service.
Yet, Mr Gyamfi’s ostentatious display of wealth in a public setting, with no clear context or justification, sends a disturbing signal of impunity and poor judgement, especially from someone entrusted with overseeing Ghana’s precious mineral resources.
While Mr Gyamfi has since described the act as a “kind gesture”, and the recipient has offered an apology, the issue is far larger than apologies or personal intentions. It concerns public trust, institutional credibility, and the enforcement of standards.
In a country where many citizens face daily economic hardships, scenes of political elites casually dishing out foreign currency do not merely offend sensibilities; they inflame public anger and erode faith in leadership.
President Mahama must act firmly and visibly. The failure to apply swift and proportionate consequences risks rendering the newly minted Code of Conduct toothless.
If the President is serious about accountability, then Mr Gyamfi’s conduct must be publicly investigated and sanctioned, in accordance with the very standards the administration seeks to uphold.
Ghanaians expect more than lofty promises. They expect action. They expect leadership. President Mahama has a golden opportunity to prove that the Code of Conduct is not a public relations tool but a living document with real consequences for misconduct.
Cracking the whip on this matter would not only preserve the integrity of his government-in-waiting but would also send an unmistakable message to all appointees: the days of impunity and extravagance are over.
If we are to build a Republic rooted in discipline, equity, and service, then leadership must begin at the top with consistency, boldness, and moral clarity. President Mahama, the time to act is now.
Enoch Anhwere Afoakwah,Esq.
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
