Two prominent figures in Ghana’s political and public administration scene—Cecilia Dapaah and Sammy Gyamfi—have made significant contributions to national development through their careers. Their respective journeys offer insight into how dedication and service can shape the country’s governance and institutional growth.
Cecilia Dapaah: A Seasoned Stateswoman
Cecilia Dapaah boasts an extensive and impressive career in both national and international development. Her journey began in 1980 as a Junior Planning Officer at the Cocoa Marketing Board, quickly rising through the ranks with roles such as Principal Development Officer for ECOWAS and the African Union.
She served as a Development Consultant with Kufour, Sohne and Partners from 1985 to 1990 and worked with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the ’90s. She was also a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Committee on Development in Sub-Saharan Africa.
On the national front, Dapaah chaired the Cocoa Marketing Board between 2001 and 2005 and served as Deputy Minister for Water Resources from 2005 to 2006 before being promoted to Minister of State (2006–2009). As MP for Bantama from 2005 to 2013, she continued her influence in government, later taking up critical ministerial roles, including Minister for Aviation (2017–2018) and Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources (2018–2023). She also served as Chairperson of the Ghana Aids Commission from 2017 to 2021.
Sammy Gyamfi: A Rising Political Strategist and Communicator
Sammy Gyamfi represents a new generation of political actors making waves in Ghana. His leadership began during his student years as TEIN KNUST Communications Officer (2010/2011) and President (2011/2012). By 2013, he was serving as the Public Relations Officer for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.
Between 2014 and 2016, Gyamfi worked as Special Assistant to former Accra Mayor Kojo Bonsu. He later became SRC President at the Ghana School of Law in the 2017/2018 academic year. His sharp communication skills earned him the role of Communications Director at Exton Cubic in 2017, before moving on to become the Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from 2018 to 2025.
In 2025, Sammy Gyamfi stepped into business leadership as Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) from January to April and then as CEO of GoldBod starting from April 2025 to date.
Conclusion
Both Cecilia Dapaah and Sammy Gyamfi highlight how impactful leadership, whether through seasoned governance or youthful dynamism, continues to shape Ghana’s political and administrative landscape. While Dapaah’s experience bridges decades of institutional development, Gyamfi’s modern political strategy offers a fresh perspective for the future.