Former Deputy Communications Minister,Victoria Lakshmi Hamah, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to issue a formal reprimand—rather than dismiss—Sammy Gyamfi following a controversial cash donation to self-styled evangelist Nana Agradaa.

In a letter titled “Youth in Power: Embracing Imperfection for a Progressive Democratic Future”, Ms Hamah argued that while public accountability remains essential, Mr Gyamfi’s actions should not result in his removal as Acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board.

“I respectfully submit that a formal reprimand, rather than exclusion from office, represents the most constitutionally sound and developmentally judicious response,” she wrote.

Mr Gyamfi has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after video footage surfaced showing him presenting an undisclosed amount of dollars to Nana Agradaa, raising concerns over propriety and public trust.

Ms Hamah warned that punishing youthful leaders too harshly could undermine efforts to build a more inclusive political culture. She stressed the importance of mentorship and intergenerational leadership, suggesting that mistakes should be viewed as part of the learning curve.

“Youthful imperfection is not antithetical to good leadership. Rather, it is a component of growth,” she said.

Citing President Mahama’s record of promoting young people and women into leadership positions, Ms Hamah compared the current moment to Ghana’s early post-independence years under Dr Kwame Nkrumah, when relatively inexperienced leaders were entrusted with major responsibilities.

She cautioned that mishandling such incidents could alienate younger voters and weaken confidence in the NDC’s promise of inclusive governance.

“To support young leaders only in moments of triumph, and abandon them at the first signs of fallibility, is to reinforce a brittle political culture that discourages innovation and suppresses bold leadership,” she added.

Ms Hamah called on Mr Mahama to turn the controversy into a teachable moment—one that upholds accountability while preserving the ideals of progressive, youth-driven leadership.

“Let this moment serve not as a rupture, but as a reckoning with the kind of political maturity that welcomes imperfection as part of the journey toward excellence,” she concluded.

Source:TheDotNews