–By Daniel Bampoe
Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, has publicly apologized after a viral video showed him lavishly spraying thousands of U.S. dollars on the controversial televangelist Patricia Asiedu, popularly known as Nana Agradaa.
The incident has triggered fierce public backlash, internal party criticism, and renewed scrutiny over the ethics of public officials under the Mahama-led administration.
Viral Moment Sparks Outrage
The video, which surfaced over the weekend, captures Gyamfi stepping out of a luxury black Toyota V8 at a funeral, where he was seen counting and handing over bundles of dollar notes—estimated to be at least $3,000—to Agradaa.
The self-styled evangelist, once a fierce NDC critic, is seen jubilantly receiving the cash, encouraging Gyamfi to hand over the entire bundle. Later, she posted the footage online with taunting commentary, declaring:
“I have taken dollars from Sammy Gyamfi,” and in a follow-up video, claimed, “Yes, Sammy Gyamfi gave me $100,000—those hungry NDC foot soldiers should shut up.”
The spectacle has caused uproar among Ghanaians and within the NDC itself, with many questioning the source of the money and the appropriateness of such a gesture at a time of economic austerity.
Apology Amid Internal Pressure
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Sammy Gyamfi admitted to the incident and expressed regret, stating:
“To all comrades who are sincerely hurt by this, I am sincerely sorry for this unfortunate act of indiscretion. I respect and appreciate your views.”
He described the act as a private gesture of kindness and claimed he had no intention of making it public. “I sincerely thought I was doing this in private,” he wrote, “and never imagined that it could find its way into the public space.”
“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 must say that, I understand the uproar that this gesture has generated, particularly from comrades who are sincerely hurt by same. To all such comrades, I AM SINCERELY SORRY for this unfortunate act of indiscretion. I respect and appreciate your views.”
“My profound appreciation goes to all those who have reached out to counsel and encourage me. I’m most grateful for your solidarity. Let me state however, that my view of public office as a privilege to serve society, solve problems and help others, has not changed.”
“I remain focused on the task entrusted to me by His Excellency, the President for the development of our country.”
But many within the party are not appeased. NDC grassroots members, particularly unemployed youth who campaigned vigorously for the party’s return to power, say the act was a betrayal of the party’s reformist promise.
Code of Conduct Undermined
The scandal is especially damaging given its timing.
Only some days ago, President John Dramani Mahama launched a Code of Conduct for Public Appointees, aimed at instilling modesty, transparency, and ethical behavior among public officials. The code was intended to mark a clear departure from the excesses of previous administrations.
Sammy Gyamfi, appears to have directly undermined that pledge.
Critics have described the cash-spraying act as a “tone-deaf display of ill-gotten wealth,” especially considering that the government has described the economy it inherited as “criminally mismanaged.”
The Agradaa Factor
The controversy is further fueled by the personality of Agradaa herself. Formerly a fetish priestess and now a self-proclaimed Christian evangelist, she has long been embroiled in allegations of fraudulent conduct.
In March 2024, she was suspended by the Rapha Faith International Ministerial Network for unorthodox fundraising practices.
Her sudden closeness with Gyamfi and alignment with the ruling NDC has sparked accusations of opportunism.
Many believe her decision to publicize the dollar-spraying was meant to signal her new political connections and curry favour.
Government Funds in Question
Beyond ethics, critics are raising serious concerns about the source of the funds.
Sammy Gyamfi is the acting CEO of the newly established Ghana Gold Board (GoldBOD), which has received $279 million in government funding to manage the purchase and export of gold as part of a broader strategy to boost foreign reserves.
His earlier public declaration that “The Gold Board will be the sole buyer and exporter of gold in Ghana” has led to fears that the board will monopolize the gold trade, potentially sidelining licensed small-scale miners and overlapping with the mandate of the state-owned Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), which Gyamfi also oversees.
The display of such a large sum of foreign currency has prompted social media accusations that Gyamfi might have misused state resources—allegations he denies but that continue to swirl online.
