Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Political Science Department, has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC), claiming the party lacks the courage to hold Sammy Gyamfi accountable over the recent dollar gift controversy.
His remarks come in the wake of President John Dramani Mahama’s decision not to pursue further disciplinary action against the acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi following a viral video that captured Gyamfi handing an undisclosed sum of U.S. dollars to evangelist Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, widely known as Nana Agradaa.
Dr. Zaato stated that President Mahama’s response was unsurprising, citing Gyamfi’s significant influence and strategic role within the party. He explained that Gyamfi’s visibility and vocal presence make it nearly impossible for anyone in the NDC to question or challenge him, even in the face of controversy.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, May 15, he said the president’s reaction, though eyebrow-raising for some, was anticipated due to internal party dynamics and the loyalty Gyamfi commands among top party members.
“No matter how you look at these issues, no one in this country will say they are surprised by this development. If you look at the politics and who the person is, nobody will say he or she is surprised that the president took only the apology and let it go,” Dr. Zaato stated.
He suggested that President Mahama’s leniency was driven by a desire to maintain internal party cohesion and avoid alienating a powerful figure whose influence continues to shape the NDC’s public narrative.
“This man is so big, so important to the NDC that there is no one in the party who has the balls to go out and tell the president to fire Sammy Gyamfi,” he declared.
Dr. Zaato further argued that the absence of dissent following the scandal demonstrates just how entrenched Gyamfi’s power has become within the party. He noted that rather than face internal criticism, the embattled party communicator received open support from both party loyalists and government officials.
“There is nobody in the NDC who has the stature and the power like Sammy Gyamfi to go and tell the president to fire him. That is why when this issue happened, almost every government appointee fell in line. They were all whipped into line. Some of them went on national television, adding their support to him.
“The problem is this: when the president came to power, he wanted to establish that he was different from the former president. But how different can you claim to be when your response to such a serious incident is merely to accept an apology and move on?” he added.