NPP Criticizes Mahama for Failing to Address Partisan Conduct of His Appointees
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged President John Mahama to show leadership and take swift action over alleged conflicts of interest involving some of his appointees.
At a press conference on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the party demanded immediate steps to address the issue of appointees holding both party and government roles.
The controversy centres on Sammy Gyamfi, the NDC’s National Communications Officer, who also serves as CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD).
The NPP says failure to act would undermine the code of conduct President Mahama launched just last week.
“This is not the time for handshakes or pats on the back,” the party stated, describing the actions of some appointees as reckless and harmful to good governance.
The NPP recalled a 2017 directive from former President Akufo-Addo. At the time, all NPP officials appointed to government roles were told to resign from their party positions to avoid conflicts of interest.
The party said appointees like Otiko Djaba, John Peter Amewu, and Adjei Sowah followed the directive.
However, the NPP claims the current NDC government has ignored that standard. They say the line between politics and public service has become blurred.
They pointed to a list of NDC officials who hold senior government roles while also maintaining party positions.
These include:
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Sammy Gyamfi – CEO of GOLDBOD and NDC Communications Officer
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George Opare Addo – Minister for Youth and Sports and NDC Youth Organizer
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Malik Basintale – CEO of YEA and NDC Deputy Communications Officer
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Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence and NDC Director of Elections
Others also serve as deputy CEOs, regional ministers, and heads of state institutions, all while holding NDC party roles.
Legal experts warn that this may breach Article 94 of Ghana’s Constitution. It prohibits public officers from holding roles that create conflicts of interest.
The Public Service Act (Act 458) also bars public servants from activities that could affect their impartiality.
The NPP stressed that this is not just a legal issue. It’s about protecting public trust. They called on the President to separate party politics from governance.
