John Mahama Pardons Gyamfi Over Cash Gift Issue
President John Mahama announced that Sammy Gyamfi, acting CEO of Ghana’s Gold Board, will face no further disciplinary action after a viral video showed him giving $800 in U.S. dollars to Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, widely known as Nana Agradaa. The incident, which stirred public outrage, raised questions about potential violations of Ghana’s Foreign Exchange Act and the ethical standards expected of public officials.
The video led to widespread criticism, with civil society groups and the minority caucus calling for Gyamfi’s dismissal, arguing his actions undermined public trust. Gyamfi, a key figure in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), issued a public apology, describing the gesture as a private act of kindness that unexpectedly became public. Despite the backlash, Mahama accepted the apology and closed the matter.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of Government Communications, shared the President’s stance during a press briefing, emphasizing Mahama’s commitment to ethical governance. However, he noted that Gyamfi received a stern warning to adhere strictly to the Code of Conduct, a recently launched initiative by Mahama to ensure accountability among appointees.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions. Some Ghanaians view the pardon as a failure to enforce accountability, especially given Agradaa’s controversial history, including a 2022 arrest for an alleged money-doubling scam. Others see it as a fair resolution, appreciating Gyamfi’s apology and Mahama’s focus on moving forward while reinforcing ethical standards for public officials.