Minority want Mahama to sanction Sammy Gyamfi

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Walewale and a member of the Finance Committee in Parliament, Dr Kabiru Tia Mahama, has called for a full-scale investigation into the source of United States dollars casually distributed by the National Communications Officer of the ruling  National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi.

According to the lawmaker, this development is not only disturbing, but represents a blatant insult to millions of Ghanaians who are currently enduring unbearable economic hardships due to inflation, the depreciation of the cedi and a high cost of living.

Addressing a news conference in Parliament yesterday, Dr Kabiru Tia described the actions of Mr Gyamfi as a “naked betrayal” of the trust of the Ghanaian people.

He argued that Sammy Gyamfi, who also serves as the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, should not be seen distributing large sums of foreign currency when the country is in an economic crisis and the local currency is struggling to maintain stability.

“We want a full-scale investigation into the source of the dollar value displayed by Sammy Gyamfi. Where did he get them from?

“Even if he has a dollar account, he must demonstrate that he had legitimate grounds to access and distribute that volume of foreign currency in public. It is a slap in the face of Ghanaians,” he said.

VIRAL VIDEO

In a viral video over the weekend, Mr Gyamfi was seen handing out dollar bills to former Fetish Priestess-turned-Evangelist, Patricia Oduro Koranteng, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, during a social event.

The footage has since sparked widespread public outrage and condemnation, with many questioning the source of the money and the legality of such conduct by a public figure.

Dr Kabiru Tia stated that this conduct directly contradicts the recently launched Code of Conduct for political appointees, which was championed by President John Dramani Mahama himself. According to the code, public officials must put national interest above personal gain, avoid ostentatious displays of wealth, and maintain integrity in both public and private dealings.

CODE OF CONDUCT

“The president recently launched a code of conduct for appointees, which requires them to place their national interest above personal interest and be accountable for the use of public funds,” Dr Kabiru stressed adding “but what we saw over the weekend is the opposite. It is opulence, arrogance, and insensitivity rolled into one disgraceful act.”

He emphasised that the action not only disrespected the suffering of ordinary Ghanaians, but also violated several laws, including the Foreign Exchange Act, the Currency Act, and the Income Tax Law.

“Mr Gyamfi’s conduct constitutes a violation of Section 15 of the Foreign Exchange Act of 2006 (Act 723), which prohibits individuals from dealing in foreign exchange without appropriate licensing from the Bank of Ghana,” the MP stated.

“Our checks indicate that Mr Gyamfi has not received authorisation from the Bank of Ghana to conduct foreign exchange transactions. So on what grounds was he in possession of such a huge volume of U.S. dollars?”

GOVERNMENT’S SILENCE

Dr Kabiru also took aim at government’s silence on the issue, stating that the failure of the Presidency, the Minister of Finance and the National Security apparatus to respond is a clear indication of complicity.

“It is worrying that days after this scandal broke, we have not heard a single word from the presidency. No action has been taken by the Ministry of Finance, and National Security has not moved with the urgency this matter requires,” he said.

He called for the immediate removal of Mr Sammy Gyamfi as acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, saying his conduct is “an affront” to the mandate and integrity expected of such a position.

“The Ghana Gold Board plays a critical role in our economy. It cannot be headed by someone who has so brazenly disregarded our laws and embarrassed the country,” the MP declared, adding “he must be sanctioned immediately.”

INVESTIGATION

Dr. Kabiru further urged the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to investigate whether taxes have been paid on the purported $10,000 gift allegedly handed to a controversial evangelist, Nana Agradaa, during the event. According to him, income tax laws in Ghana require individuals who receive gifts in cash or kind to declare them and pay the appropriate taxes.

“The clock is ticking for Nana Agradaa as well. Any gift valued in money must be declared and taxed accordingly. She has 21 days to file a return and pay any due taxes. The GRA must act and demonstrate a real commitment to curbing tax evasion,” he said.

He also debunked the argument that the cedi’s relative stability is permanent, cautioning that underlying economic vulnerabilities persist.

“Let us be clear: the current performance of the cedi is artificial,” he warned, “the government has not made energy sector payments to independent power producers. Once these payments are made, they will convert the money to dollars and repatriate them, putting renewed pressure on the cedi. What we’re seeing is temporary.”

He added that Ghana’s gold reserves, which should be a key support for the local currency, have barely improved under the current government.

“When the last government left office, we had over 8 tons of gold reserves. Today, it’s only slightly above 8.8 tons. This is not impressive,” he noted.

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