Dr. Samuel Afriyie, a political scientist at Kumasi Technical University, has urged former President John Dramani Mahama to back his recently launched Code of Conduct with firm action.
Speaking on ABC’s morning show, Dr. Afriyie questioned whether the Code would have real weight if breaches are met with forgiveness rather than sanction. “Setting a precedent of apologise-and-go undermines discipline and weakens public trust,” he said.
The academic was reacting to the fallout from the Dollar Gift saga, where Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the NDC, was reportedly pardoned after public outrage over his conduct.
Dr. Afriyie insists that such actions damage the credibility of leadership and sends the wrong message.
“We believe that suspension would have been handed rather than accepting an apology,” he argued, pointing to the need for clear and consistent consequences for misconduct.
He added that public servants like Sammy Gyamfi have a duty to maintain the highest ethical standards, particularly in a politically charged environment. Dr. Afriyie stressed that without demonstrable accountability, the Code of Conduct risks becoming a symbolic gesture rather than a meaningful tool for party discipline.
“It’s about restoring public confidence not just issuing codes, but enforcing them,” he concluded.
