Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and arguably one of the best political communicators in Ghana, recently shared the story of how he became a politician.
During an interview on the July 20, 2024, edition of the KSM Show, Sammy Gyamfi revealed that despite coming from a humble background with no political connections, he had aspired to be a politician since a young age.
He mentioned that his admiration for the late former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, inspired him.
He recalled how he would join the crowds in Sunyani to catch a glimpse of Rawlings at events.
What truly influenced Sammy Gyamfi to pursue politics was Rawlings’ willingness to take sole responsibility for his failed coup attempt and spare his comrades. This act of accountability deeply resonated with him and fueled his passion for politics.
“Rawlings was an idol for me. So, I started following him. Somebody gave me a book, titled: ‘Rawlings and the June 4’ and I read that book. I heard names like Fidel Castro, freedom fighters - Nelson Mandela and all that. I would search and read about them.”
Sammy Gyamfi shared that although he initially thought studying economics or law would pave the way for his political career, he ended up studying Environmental Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Despite this setback, he remained determined to pursue his political ambitions and quickly immersed himself in political activities on campus.
He initially joined the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) tertiary education wing, TESCON, before finding his place in the NDC-affiliated group TEIN.
Reflecting on his early days in TEIN, Sammy Gyamfi highlighted the diversity and inclusivity of the group, which made him feel a sense of belonging.
“When I went to uni. after the first week, I was asking them, so what’s the NDC organ here? They say TEIN, and they meet on Saturdays at the Great Hall Foyer. What about the NPP? TESCON? Where do they meet? At the time, I believe Independence Hall, dining hall. So, the first meeting I went to was a TESCON meeting, the NPP’s intellectual wing on campus. And when I went, the students there were young people, but it was Akan dominated and those there were not like me because I was coming from a very humble beginning - majority of the people I saw there were a bit bourgeois.
“Then the next week, I went for a TEIN meeting at the Great Hall Foyer, I remember very well. And I looked, I saw people from different parts of the country. I saw the Ewes in their numbers. I saw the northerners and different tribes, I saw Akans too. I saw common people, common people who were not driving on campus or were not well to do, people like me and so I felt belonging there… So, by my 3rd, 4th week, I was already in TEIN KNUST and I was very committed, even right from my first year,” he said.
His dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed, and he was eventually elected as the public relations officer in his second year.
His involvement in TEIN also led him to cross paths with influential NDC leaders like Kofi Totobi Quakyi, who became his mentor and guided him on his political journey.
Sammy Gyamfi’s story is a testament to his perseverance and passion for politics, which ultimately led him to his current role as the NDC Communication Officer.
He also said that after his first degree, while working in Kumasi, he enrolled in the post-graduate LLB programme at KNUST, after which he attended the Ghana School of Law in Makola and was called to the bar in 2018.
While practising as a lawyer, he also enrolled in the master's programme in Economics at the University of Ghana.
To watch his full interview, check out the video below (starting from 38:00):
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