Godwin Ako Gunn, the National Democratic Congress's (NDC) Deputy National Communications Officer, has filed as the only candidate for the National Communications Officer position, clearing the way for him to take over the role unopposed. This development comes after Sammy Gyamfi, who has held the position since 2018, decided not to pick up nomination forms to defend his position. According to reports from GhanaWeb, Ako Gunn's emergence as the sole aspirant means he is likely to succeed Gyamfi.
Ako Gunn's path to the position is not yet finalised, as the party's vetting committee is scheduled to screen him, along with other aspirants, on November 11 and 12, 2026. The vetting process is a necessary step before he can be formally confirmed for the role. Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, spokesperson for the NDC Congress Elections Committee, explained that candidates running unopposed will be declared elected once they clear vetting.
Sammy Gyamfi's exit from the communications race follows a party directive issued by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey in January 2026. The directive required government appointees seeking executive positions in the NDC to resign their government roles at least six clear months before filing nominations. As Gyamfi currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), he would have fallen under that rule, making it necessary for him to step down.
During his tenure, Gyamfi was widely credited with shaping the party's communications strategy, particularly during the 2024 general election campaign. At GoldBod, Gyamfi has also drawn attention for the agency's role in boosting the country's foreign exchange reserves. In August 2026, he stated that GoldBod's activities, together with the Bank of Ghana, had generated more than US$10.8 billion from the purchase and export of artisanal and small-scale mining gold.
Ako Gunn brings a long record within the NDC to the role, having served the party for more than 30 years. He has risen through various levels, including serving as a branch executive for 12 years, chairing the Okaikoi North Constituency Finance Committee for four years, and spending eight years on the Greater Accra Regional Communication Committee. He has held the Deputy National Communications Officer position for the past eight years.
The communications post is one of several already effectively settled ahead of December's elections. Other national executive positions, however, remain contested. Incumbent General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey is seeking to retain his post unchallenged, while sitting National Organiser Joseph Yammin is also the sole candidate for his position. Both men face the same November 11-12 vetting window as Ako Gunn.
The NDC's national executive elections are now set for December 19, 2026. With Ako Gunn likely to be confirmed as the new National Communications Officer, the party's communications machinery will be in the hands of an experienced leader with a deep understanding of the party's structures and operations. The party's vetting committee's assessment this week will confirm Ako Gunn's position, marking a new chapter in the party's communications strategy.
Key points
- Ako Gunn is set to take over as the NDC's National Communications Officer, succeeding Sammy Gyamfi who chose not to seek re-election.
