Dollar-gift saga: NPP roasts Sammy Gyamfi for “denigrating” Cedi – Nsemkeka
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has slammed the CEO of Goldbod, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, for what they said was an act belittling the local currency by spending US dollars in the form of a gift to self-styled evangelist Patricia Oduro Koranteng, formerly a fetish priestess known as Nana Agradaa.
The gesture by Mr Gyamfi has generated heated controversy, sparking calls for sanctions against the Communications Officer of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The incident, on Saturday, May 11, captured in widely circulated social media footage, shows Mr Gyamfi presenting the cash to Nana Agradaa after a brief interaction between the two.
Critics argue this action potentially conflicts with President John Dramani Mahama’s recently launched Code of Conduct for public officials, emphasising integrity and transparency.
In a fiery press conference on Tuesday, May 13, the NPP laid out several reasons to justify sanctions against Mr Gyamfi.
READ ALSO: Interdict Sammy Gyamfi immediately to allow for investigations – NPP urges Mahama
National Organiser of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), explained in the local Twi dialect, stating:
The government introduced Goldbod. One important function that the government made us understand was that it would stabilise the cedi. Yet the CEO of Goldbod, who is tasked with ensuring the stability of the cedi, does not have confidence in the cedi. So, he is carrying US dollars and distributing them around.
Reverting to English, he emphasised, “This is a serious lack of confidence in our cedi.”
At the same presser, Mr Boakye pointed out that among the laws breached by Mr Gyamfi are the Foreign Exchange Act, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and the Presidential Code of Conduct, which was formally launched only a week ago.
Specifically, Section 314 of the Foreign Exchange Act (Act 723) prohibits any person from engaging in the business of dealing in foreign exchange without a licence issued under the Act.
Mr Boakye added, “This is a clear violation of the Foreign Exchange Act. Dealing with foreign exchange, like receiving or paying foreign currency, without a licence, is illegal.”
Mr Boakye stressed that the law, in both letter and spirit, prohibits the stacking of dollars, as Ghana maintains the Cedi as its sole legal tender.
He remarked, “We don’t have multiple legal tenders in Ghana. The Bank of Ghana has repeatedly warned that no individual or institution is allowed to advertise, price, receive, gift, or make payments for goods and services in foreign exchange, including US dollars, without authorisation. The penalty for violating this regulation is serious, and it includes a fine or imprisonment of up to 18 months.”
He cited President Mahama’s recent unveiling of the Code of Conduct for appointees, in which President Mahama outlined the core values his administration expects: integrity, honesty, impartiality, respect, decency, competence, and professionalism.
The President reportedly emphasised, “All official conduct must meet standards capable of withstanding the closest public scrutiny.”
Mr Boakye pointed out that under Section 12 of the Code, Mr Gyamfi is required to manage his personal affairs in a manner that withstands public scrutiny.
The NPP is therefore calling on President Mahama to take action against Mr Gyamfi.
“The President is being put to the test on his commitment to the very values he sought to espouse exactly a week ago when he unveiled the code of conduct,” Mr Boakye stated.
“The entire world is waiting with bated breath on further actions by President Mahama, considering the actions of Mr Sammy Gyamfi and the Attorney-General”.