NDC executives affected by party’s ban on government pppointees from holding party positions
The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that individuals seeking positions in the government cannot simultaneously hold executive positions within the party.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, January 29, 2026, the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, stated that government appointees who wish to contest party positions in the party’s National Executive election, scheduled for December 2026, must resign from their governmental offices.
He explained that the directive is part of measures implemented by the National Executive Committee of the party. Government appointees who intend to hold party positions are required to resign at least six clear months before submitting their nomination forms.
He said, “The affected officers include, but are not limited to, ministers and deputy ministers; chief executive officers, their deputies or analogous officers; Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.”
With this move, the NDC is likely to lose some of its stalwarts who championed the party’s massive victory in the 2024 general election ahead of 2028.
Here are some of the NDC executives who will face a tough choice between leaving the top positions they hold in government and their party positions.
Sammy Gyamfi:
One of the key NDC executives affected by this new move is the party’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.
Sammy Gyamfi was appointed by President John Dramani Mahama as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
Sammy Gyamfi, who was the engine of the NDC communication machinery, has also been praised for his work at GoldBod, which experts say has helped in the turnaround of Ghana’s economy, particularly the stabilisation of the Ghana Cedi.
NDC bars all government appointees from contesting for party positions
Malik Basintale:
Sammy Gyamfi’s deputy, Malik Basintale, has also been caught in this conundrum.
The NDC Deputy Communications Officer was appointed by President Mahama as CEO of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA). Basintale, who caught the eye of many during the NDC campaign, now has to choose between his role in the upcoming NDC campaign and empowering the youth at the YEA.
George Opare Addo:
The National Youth Organiser of the NDC, George Opare Addo, is also affected by this new directive.
George Opare Addo was appointed by Mahama as the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment.
Mustapha Gbande:
Mustapha Gbande, a Deputy National Organiser of the NDC, is also faced with this tough choice.
He was appointed by President Mahama as Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency.
Godwin Edudzi Tameklo:
Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, the Director of Legal of the NDC, also received an appointment from the president.
He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
Dr Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei:
The National Women’s Organiser of the NDC, Dr Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, also received an appointment in the John Dramani Mahama government.
She was appointed as the Chief Administrator of Ghana’s Mineral Development Fund.
Rashid Tanko Computer
The Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress, Rashid Tanko Computer, also has some tough considerations to make.
He has also received an appointment in the NDC government as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC).
BAI
Watch GhanaWeb’s live coverage of 2026 NPP presidential primary
