“We need to work on the psyche of govt appointees” – Dr. Samuel Afriyie

Political analyst Dr. Samuel Afriyie has expressed support for the newly unveiled Code of Conduct for political appointees under President John Dramani Mahama, emphasizing its potential to reshape behavior in government.

Speaking on ABC Prime News, Dr. Afriyie noted that “appointees usually misbehave,” and that the introduction of this strict code will help set the right tone for both current and incoming appointees.

He further stressed that “we need to work on the psyche of appointees coming to government, so they will not come in to abuse people with no power.”

The Code of Conduct, launched by President Mahama on May 5, 2025, applies to all government appointees, including ministers, CEOs, and staffers, and seeks to ensure ethical behavior, accountability, and transparency.

The President emphasized that the new rules, part of his 120-day social contract, aim to restore integrity in governance by addressing issues such as conflict of interest, nepotism, and misuse of office. He also outlined stricter guidelines on ministerial travel and asset purchases by political appointees.

Dr. Afriyie also highlighted that the processes surrounding the suspension of high-level appointees, such as the Chief Justice, must be backed by law to avoid politicization.

He argued that any future actions taken in such matters should be legally grounded to prevent misuse of power by future governments.