By Grace Zigah
Evangelist Patricia Asiedu, widely known as Nana Agradaa, has pledged to return a cash gift she received from the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, following an intensifying wave of public criticism and political condemnation.
The controversy erupted after a video surfaced on social media showing Gyamfi handing over wads of US dollars to the controversial former fetish priestess-turned-Christian evangelist.
The footage, which quickly went viral, triggered a backlash from civil society actors and Members of Parliament, particularly the Minority caucus, who described the gesture as unethical and demanded Gyamfi’s immediate suspension.
In response to the growing storm, Nana Agradaa took to Instagram Live on Monday to announce her decision to return the money.
She further stated her intent to double the amount as a show of goodwill and transparency.
“I will return the $800 and even double it. I will do my best to find his office, and I will go there with my camera and show it to Ghanaians that I have returned the money,” she said during the broadcast.
Agradaa expressed remorse that the incident could jeopardize Sammy Gyamfi’s position, noting that her conscience would not allow her to be the cause of his professional downfall.
The self-styled evangelist, who gained notoriety years ago for her activities as a traditional spiritualist before renouncing that lifestyle to become a Christian preacher, made an emotional appeal to the public.
Holding her Bible and anointing oil, she declared, “This is my mantle, my Bible, and my anointing oil, as a great woman of God, and I say that I will set my church on fire if I am the reason Sammy will lose his job.”
She further defended Gyamfi’s gesture by invoking scripture, saying, “The Bible said we should do good to everybody; the Bible did not discriminate when it said that.”
The incident has ignited partisan tensions, with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) leading calls for Gyamfi’s removal, accusing him of misconduct and poor judgment.
However, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed these calls as politically motivated.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister in charge of Government Communications, on May 12, sharply criticized the NPP for what he called “opportunistic politics.”
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Kwakye Ofosu questioned the credibility of the opposition party on matters of integrity in public office.
“The moment the NPP jumps into this, you know that they’re just dabbling in opportunistic politics. They don’t believe in any of the principles they’re espousing,” he said.
“If you look at their conduct and behaviour in government, this is not a party that has any respect for modesty or even decency in public office.”
While the Ghana Gold Board has not issued an official statement, the mounting pressure places Gyamfi in a politically vulnerable position.
