…NPP left divided over his fate
The political future of 36-year-old Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, hangs in the balance, with President John Dramani Mahama, currently on an overseas trip, being the only one left to possibly save him from the consequences of what Gyamfi himself has described as an, “unfortunate act of indiscretion.”
According to the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Mahama administration is taking public concerns seriously regarding Sammy Gyamfi, who also serves as the Director of Communications for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
A viral video showing Gyamfi handing US dollar notes to Evangelist Patricia Oduro, also known as Asiedua Asiamah or “Nana Agradaa”, a former fetish priestess, has sparked public outrage and political backlash. The footage, widely circulated on 10 May 2025, captured Gyamfi seated in a Range Rover reportedly valued at US$450,000.
Before President Mahama takes any decision on the matter, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) appears divided over the incident.
In a rare show of cross-party support, NPP Deputy Director of Communications, Ernest Owusu Bempah, defended the embattled GoldBod boss.
However, at a press conference on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, NPP National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, adopted a contrasting stance, calling on President Mahama to suspend Gyamfi pending investigations by state criminal authorities into his public gifting of US dollars to Evangelist Nana Agradaa.
“We also call on the President to immediately interdict Mr Sammy Gyamfi as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board — or at the very least, suspend him pending the conduct of investigations by the criminal investigative authorities of the state,” said Boakye, who has a history of public spats with Gyamfi, including reportedly organising an attack against him in the studios of Accra-based Asempa FM during a political debate.
Boakye stressed the need for accountability and drew comparisons with former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah, who resigned after large sums of money were reported stolen from her residence.
“We cannot forget when huge sums of money were reported stolen from Madam Cecilia Dapaah’s home — a woman who had served at the highest levels of government for over four decades, as an MP since 2001, a deputy minister, and later a minister. She is also married to a prominent and wealthy architect and consultant with nearly sixty years of experience,” Boakye stated.
Critics, including the Minority in Parliament, have described Gyamfi’s actions as a breach of conduct, citing possible violations of Ghana’s Currency Act and the Code of Conduct for public officials. They have called for his immediate suspension and a thorough investigation into the source of the funds.
Gyamfi, has since apologised for the incident, describing it as a private act of generosity. However, the NPP insists that his interdiction and a full investigation are essential to uphold transparency, good governance, and public trust.
In a video posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ernest Owusu Bempah, defended Gyamfi, insisting he had committed no crime warranting dismissal.
“This noise about Sammy Gyamfi gifting dollars to Agradaa is dead on arrival. Nobody has the moral right to attack that young man. Has he stolen money? If anyone has evidence that he has, they should submit it to the Office of the Special Prosecutor. Are we saying that because Sammy Gyamfi hasn’t had an extensive career, he can’t own just $10,000? Let’s be honest. Nobody should attack him over this, and I’ll defend him anywhere,” Bempah stated.
“We should be mindful of how we practise politics. If there were a scandal at GoldBod, that would be a different matter. But I won’t support envy. He’s a young man who has followed Mahama for years. Now people want to vilify and remove him. That’s wrong. When young people succeed, we should support them. He has apologised and admitted it was youthful exuberance. Calls for his dismissal are misplaced.”
Ofosu-Kwakye’s remarks followed public criticism after the video of Gyamfi giving out dollar notes at a public event went viral.
Sections of the public have questioned the appropriateness of the gesture, particularly amid Ghana’s prevailing economic difficulties.
Mr Gyamfi responded with an apology, clarifying that the donation was a private act and not intended for public display. Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff, subsequently summoned him to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Speaking in an interview with Citi FM on Monday, 12 May 2025, Felix Kwakye Ofosu reiterated the government’s commitment to high standards.
“We are a government committed to governing differently and holding ourselves to high standards. So, we take on board the concerns raised by the public. This shows people expect a clear break from the free fall that occurred under the previous NPP administration,” he said.
“It is part of the reason the Chief of Staff took the step he has taken today. Once the President returns, he will be fully briefed before any final decision is taken.”
Kwakye Ofosu further explained that the Chief of Staff’s action demonstrates the government’s intent to deal with the matter decisively and transparently.
According to 3news.com, Kwakye Ofosu confirmed that the government is addressing the matter with the “utmost seriousness”.
He said the government respects the sentiments of the Ghanaian public, noting: “We are aware that since the airing of the video, various views have been expressed. This partly informed the Chief of Staff’s action.”
The government is expected to work with relevant agencies to thoroughly investigate the transaction.
Kwakye Ofosu, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to higher governance standards, saying: “We are a government that is determined to govern differently and raise the bar. We are listening to public concerns, and this demonstrates that Ghanaians expect much more than what they experienced under the NPP administration.”
He concluded that, President Mahama would be fully briefed upon his return, after which a final decision on any further action would be taken.