NPP questions Mahama’s silence on appointees’ partisan roles

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on President John Mahama to act quickly. They want him to address alleged conflicts of interest among his appointees.

At a press conference on May 13, 2025, the NPP demanded immediate action. They are concerned about appointees holding both party and government roles.

The controversy involves Sammy Gyamfi, the NDC’s National Communications Officer. He also serves as CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD). The NPP argues that inaction would undermine the code of conduct launched by President Mahama last week.

“This is not the time for handshakes or pats on the back,” said the party. They described some appointees' actions as reckless and harmful to good governance.

The NPP recalled a directive from former President Akufo-Addo in 2017. He instructed all NPP officials in government roles to resign from party positions. This was to avoid conflicts of interest.

Appointees like Otiko Djaba, John Peter Amewu, and Adjei Sowah followed this directive. However, the NPP claims the current NDC government has ignored this standard. They say politics and public service have become blurred.

They provided a list of NDC officials holding senior government roles while maintaining party positions:

- Sammy Gyamfi – CEO of GOLDBOD and NDC Communications Officer
- George Opare Addo – Minister for Youth and Sports and NDC Youth Organizer
- Malik Basintale – CEO of YEA and NDC Deputy Communications Officer
- Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence and NDC Director of Elections

Others serve as deputy CEOs, regional ministers, and heads of state institutions while holding party roles.

Legal experts warn this may violate Article 94 of Ghana’s Constitution. This article prohibits public officers from holding conflicting roles. The Public Service Act (Act 458) also bars public servants from activities affecting their impartiality.

The NPP emphasized that this issue goes beyond legality; it concerns public trust. They urged the President to separate party politics from governance.