Hmmmmmmm! That was my reflex reaction after I finished watching the video in which the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, is seen giving out money in not clearly visible dollar denomination to the controversial Priestess cum Evangelist, Patricia Koranteng, alias Nana Agradaa.
The incident is reported to have happened at Prophet Nigel Gaisie’s father’s one week commemoration on May 10, 2025 somewhere in Ghana.
Then my journalistic instincts kicked in. So, I logged on to Facebook. The views were varied- “He has done nothing wrong,” “Four months into office and he is already sharing dollars? Where did he get the money?” That’s the summary of the views.
Subsequently, the traditional media picked up the issue. Anti-corruption crusaders were interviewed. They too were divided in opinion. They agreed though, that the optics don’t look good. That is to say, what is on the video is offensive to the eyes of objective thinking persons. Especially so, when President John Mahama had, few days earlier, urged his appointees to exhibit good conduct.
“This Code of Conduct clearly sets out my expectations of a government of integrity, honesty, impartiality, respect, decency, incorruptibility, competence, professionalism and standards of conduct that can withstand the closest public scrutiny,” the President wrote on page 9 of the 66-page Code of Conduct.
The divergence in opinion regarding the matter took me down memory lane- to the days of my masters’ degree programme at Ghana’s premier university. A possible question that came to mind is this- Evaluate the contention that Sammy Gyamfi has not breached President Mahama’s Code of Conduct for appointees.
Here is my attempt:
“A code of conduct is a set of rules or guidelines that outline acceptable and unacceptable behaviour for an individual or group, often within an organization or profession. It defines the standards of conduct, ethical principles, and responsibilities expected of its members,”- Institute of Directors.
Therefore, one can be said to have breached a Code of Conduct if he or she exhibits a certain conduct contrary to the specific provisions of the code.
Upon a thorough reading of the 66-page document issued by the President, one would come to only one conclusion- there is no prohibition of any of the appointees from giving gifts to anybody.
What is explicitly prohibited is the acceptance of gifts by appointees which can be found on page 28 of the code- “…gifts in cash or kind are not to be solicited or accepted from commercial enterprises or any other organizations.”
It is therefore evident that Sammy Gyamfi has in no way breached the Code of Conduct for government appointees.
Hear the other side
However, one cannot brush aside the concerns raised by those who find Sammy Gyamfi’s conduct unbecoming of a public offer. The issues they raise are; the personality involved, the currency involved, the timing of the incident and Sammy Gyamfi’s apology.
The personality involved
Nana Agradaa is a controversial person who is loved and hated in equal measure by those who know what she does.
The grassroot members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which Sammy Gyamfi is the National Communication Officer, are particularly peeved because ahead of the 2024 elections, Nana Agradaa prophesied that then candidate John Mahama will lose the election.
Therefore, they considered the extension of such an overly kind gesture to a preacher of doom against the party, not only as a slap in their faces, but an abomination.
Non-NDC members who don’t like Nana Agradaa due to her perceived crooked ways, say they struggle to understand why Sammy would be so kind to such a person.
They fail to appreciate the high level of friendliness exhibited between the two, as seen in the video, especially so, when Agradaa later stated that she has never met Sammy in her life.
They point to the hand across shoulder, shirt-to-dress close up pose for the still picture, the ease with which Sammy Gyamfi yielded to Agradaa’s request for ‘fuel money’ and the thigh-to-thigh close marking amid giggles to the door of the vehicle.
They further cite the speed with which he grabbed his wallet as well as the swiftness with which he counted the about 18 dollar notes. That is the least I counted while watching the video. Some say he really matched up to the speed of a counting machine. Now, let’s do some maths. Let’s for the sake of argument say that the dollar denomination was $50. $50×18=$900.
The critics point to the “Na wo de ninyinaa mami a na ay3den?”- If you give all to me what will happen? Remark by Agradaa. They marvel at the smile on Sammy Gyamfi’s face after Agradaa snatched the remainder of the dollar notes from him.
If one adds the quantity that was snatched from Sammy Gyamfi, then the $800 amount that Agradaa put out, cannot be accurate. If the denomination is $100 bills, then your guess is as good as mine. I have also heard those who say that if the bundle of dollars that Sammy took out was made of $50 bills, then Agradaa walked away with a total of $5,000. If it was $100 bill, then Hmm!
Related article: Sammy Gyamfi gave me $800 after I asked for fuel – Agradaa reveals
And ooh! They condemn Agradaa for waving the money at the camera saying gleefully, “Magye dollars efiri Sammy Gyamfi ho”- I have collected dollars from Sammy Gyamfi.
Above all, they hold the view that it is either Sammy was ‘star-truck’ or at the least, carried away by Agradaa’s affable disposition.
The currency involved
Dollars, otherwise known as greenback is a very strong currency globally. Indeed, the world’s economy revolves around it.
Owning dollars is the dream of everyone who dreams of becoming rich. But acquiring the US currency does not come cheap. To gain one buck in Ghana, you need at least GHC13.
The critics wonder how Sammy Gyamfi, who only six months ago was in the trenches fighting for political power and in the process spent a fortune on the electoral campaign, could still have so much dollar reserves to dole out so much to a first-time acquaintance.
They wonder if Sammy had any cedis on him. If not why? If yes, why did he not give out the cedis?
They ask, why so much gift in dollars for only fuel?
They point to Sammy’s public commentary on the Cecilia Dapaah saga. Specifically, his statement to the effect that, “…if money is found on you and it is not commensurate with your income, then the person SHALL, SHALL, SHALL be said to have engaged in money laundering.”
The timing of the incident
Sammy Gyamfi was appointed effective January 16, 2025 with the task of establishing the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), a key promise in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 manifesto.
Four months later, he has been able to set up the Goldbod and hit the ground running to the applause of many. Goldbod has already caused the arrest and deportation of some foreign nationals who have engaged in smuggling of gold.
It is for this reason that some critical minds are wondering where Sammy got so much dollars as to give same freely to Agradaa. They contend that no one gives money that he or she has worked so hard for, with such ease.
They further posit, that given the usual snail pace processing of new appointees onto the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department’s payroll, they wonder if Sammy has even received his first salary.
This, coupled with the fact that President Mahama has demanded that all appointees donate their one-month’s salary to the Mahama Care Fund, means the Goldbod CEO should not be this liquid to be giving out so much dollars to one person for no work done.
Plus, they could not lose sight of the change from the use of Toyota Landcruiser V8 to Range Rover with a 2024 registration number.
Those who put in a word for Sammy said he is not a man of straw. They say he is a lawyer who lives in the plush Airport Hills neighbourhood where rent is paid in dollar equivalent rates.
In December 2022 during the national executive elections of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi had cause to explain the source of his wealth. He had to respond to allegations made by some critics, including George Opare Addo, then newly elected National Youth Organiser, and Now Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, that he (Sammy) has numerous vehicles, including six land cruisers and a house at Airport Hills and that he should explain how he acquired them.
Speaking on Accra-based Onua TV on December 14, 2022, Sammy remarked, “they said I have six Land Cruisers but I have only one and even that one someone gave it to me out of the love he has for Mahama. I’m not the owner of those houses trending on social media. But in fact, the houses I am going to build will be five times better than those.”
Sammy stressed that he is a very industrious person, “…at the age of 24, I owned a lounge in Kumasi”- He said in Twi.
Sammy Gyamfi’s apology
“Apology is a lovely perfume, it can transform the clumsiest moment into a gracious gift”- Margaret Lee Runbeck.
The truism in this quote has been vindicated by how the whole saga has ended.
Here are excerpts from the apology: Folks, I have taken notice of the wave of criticisms against my person in the last 24 hours. To clarify, this was simply a kind gesture to a fellow human being, in line with my daily and life-long custom of lending a helping hand to people in need.
I sincerely thought that I was doing this act of kindness in private, and never imagined that same could find its way into the public space. That is unfortunate and regrettable. … I AM SINCERELY SORRY for this unfortunate act of indiscretion.”
Read also: Sammy Gyamfi apologises over viral video of him gifting dollars to Agradaa
Critics react to apology
This notwithstanding, the critics say people render apologies for one of two reasons- to show true remorse or to let sleeping dogs lie. They contend that remorseful apologies do not come with explanations. They start and end with I AM SORRY.
Therefore, Sammy’s lengthy apology which referred to Nana Agradaa as a needy person belongs to the ‘Let sleeping dogs lie’ category. That’s because he knew how seriously President Mahama considers the newly out- doored Code of Conduct and the implications of his indiscretion.
And that is why he went to every length to justify his action in the apology. To the extent of stating the obvious untruth that Agradaa falls within the category of “people in need.”
They teased that Sammy was scared by the sternness of this statement made by the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, during the launch of the Code of Conduct, “I wish we are never going to have that bad experience of removing anyone of you, but don’t forget if you play, ignorance is never an excuse.”
The critics added that, it is because of this same statement that after Mr Debrah summoned Sammy to the Jubilee House, some of his colleague appointees posted messages on social media in solidarity with him.
Sam George, Minister of Communication, Digitalisation and Innovations, wrote, “Since I have been appointed, Sammy is the most troublesome person on my phone looking for jobs for party people. It is who he is.
I can relate with all the attacks but Sammy Gyamfi, keep your head up, respond to the query but always know you have the respect and affection of many.”
James Agyenim-Boateng, Managing Director of SIC Insurance PLS, posted “May no one suffer vilification for her/ his private act of kindness which is projected to the public by the indiscretion and lack of restraint of others (to cause disaffection and ill will).”
Obuobia Darko-Opoku, Ag. Deputy Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited prophesied, “When conviction meets courage, even the loudest storms cannot drown one’s purpose. You have never cowered in the face of fire, Sammy Gyamfi, and this moment is no different.
Keep your focus and faith; the God who lifted you will not abandon you now, as He is just starting with you. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14.
Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere-Darko, had this to write, “We live, we stumble, we seek and we know. Through each misstep, our spirits grow.”
“So, I will plead on behalf of Sammy, incidentally I happen to be his lawyer as well. We once again apologise for the indiscretion and hope that it will not happen again. As young people we can only plead that the good people of Ghana forgive us for this misstep. we will not justify it at all,” the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Edudzi Tameklo said on TV3’s New Day show.
Victoria Hamah who was dismissed by President Mahama during his previous tenure for saying, “if I don’t make $1m, I will not leave politics” put in a word for Sammy Gyamfi- “Reprimand, don’t sack,” she posted on Facebook.
It’s time to go
There is no doubt that Sammy Gyamfi is President Mahama’s darling boy. Their relationship is like that of father and son- Just like Maraf and Sharaf, his biological children.
And President Mahama is on record to have said that when it comes to governance, he chooses loyalty over anything. He proved it when he ignored the public outcry against Stan Dogbe for destroying a journalist’s recorder.
As such, there was no way he would sacrifice Sammy. This view is what informed the outcome of the case, as announced by Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
“You would recall that in the immediate aftermath of the incident, Mr Sammy issued an apology over the matter and took on board public concerns raised over same. The view is that the Presidency appreciates Mr Sammy Gyamfi’s immediate expression of regret.
So that apology has been taken on board. You would recall that when President Mahama launched the Code of Conduct, he said that one of the remedies for potential breaches is a public apology. He also said one of the potential remedies was a caution from the highest level of government.
The Chief of Staff cautioned him, having acknowledged the apology and impressed on him to act in ways that reflect public expectation. In view of that, the presidency does not believe that any further action ought to be taken beyond the apology and the caution,” he explained.
In conclusion, it is evident from the foregoing that although Sammy Gyamfi did not breach any letter of the Code of Conduct, his conduct offended the spirit of the document. And he knew it.
That is why his advisers who knew about the lovely perfume called apology, advised him to apologise immediately. If he had listened to the apologists who insisted that he has not done anything wrong, I dare say the outcome would have been different.
Especially so, when we are told by Felix that he was not given a pat on the shoulder but, “The Chief of Staff cautioned him, ……and impressed on him to act in ways that reflect public expectation.”
You know what? This life, if you don’t have a God Father, ‘forgeabourit.’
Chao – That’s goodbye in Spanish.
Let God lead: Follow Him directly, not through any human.
The writer is the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Columnist of the Year- 2022. He is the author of two books whose contents share knowledge on how anyone desirous of writing like him can do so. Eric can be reached via email [email protected]
The post From Eric’s Diary: Sammy Gyamfi’s dollar gift to Agradaa saga- An ‘academic’ analysis first appeared on 3News.
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