Political analyst Dr. Samuel Afriyie has called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to launch an immediate investigation into Sammy Gyamfi, Acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, following a viral video that shows him handing over U.S. dollars to evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa.
Speaking on ABC Midday News on May 11, Dr. Afriyie argued that the incident has raised serious questions about the ethical conduct of public officials and could undermine the government’s new Code of Conduct.
“OSP should have even called Sammy Gyamfi for investigation or where he got that money from… at this moment in time, the quantity doesn’t matter but the season,” he stated.
Dr. Afriyie also criticized Gyamfi’s past political utterances, stating that they have contributed to public mistrust and deepened the controversy.
“It could have been Cedi, but the dollar makes it severe,” he added, suggesting the optics of using foreign currency during economic hardship were especially damaging.
He further noted that some NDC supporters feel sidelined in appointments and resource allocation, and the video only intensified those grievances, given Gyamfi’s visible access to funds.
The backlash follows reports that Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has summoned Gyamfi to explain the incident, which many view as violating public service ethics.
While Gyamfi has apologized, calling the gesture a private act of kindness, critics including former MP Ras Mubarak say the act undermines public confidence in the cedi. Agradaa, however, defended Gyamfi during a church service, revealing the amount was just $800 and urging the public to see it as a blessing, not a scandal.
