Renowned Ghanaian comedian and social commentator Kwaku Sintim-Misa, popularly known as KSM, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the CEO of Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, over a viral video of him gifting money to evangelist Patricia Asiedu, popularly known as Agradaa.
In a reaction on his YouTube channel, KSM acknowledged that while the act itself may not have been wrong, the public perception was damaging.
“To Sammy Gyamfi and others who say that there was nothing wrong with what he did, maybe you’re right. But the optics are not good,” he said.
He emphasized that public figures, especially those in leadership positions, must be mindful of how their actions appear in the public eye.
He gave a scenario of an act of generosity toward a vulnerable person at a hospital, stating that such a gesture would have drawn no criticism.
“If, for example, you were driving around Korle Bu or any health centre and then you saw some old man going to the hospital but they said he couldn’t afford it, and you stopped your car, took out the money and gave it to him. Nobody would have said anything.
“But the optics of Sammy Gyamfi dashing a woman called Agradaa, who has been seen notoriously on record bashing the NDC. Its not good,” KSM stressed.
He further cautioned that such informal interactions, particularly with controversial figures like Agradaa, could erode public confidence in leadership.
“If anyone can see you outside and they can stop you and hang out with you. That’s not good optics. Forget about the fact that it was Agradaa.
“You can still be a people person. You can still respect people. But at the very worst, tell the person to call your PA and then come to the office. That shows you have a certain level of responsibility and focus,” he advised.
KSM praised Gyamfi’s intelligence but questioned whether he fully understood the concept of leadership.
“He’s a very, very intelligent person. But all of that does not mean that you understand the ingredients that make leadership work. Show her class. It’s not arrogance,” he said.
He urged the GoldBod CEO and other young political leaders to recognise the need for class and discipline, especially in their new positions.
“It’s not arrogance. That’s the level that you are. Please don’t take leadership for granted and say, ‘Oh, me, I am a man of the people.’ But levels must be maintained,” he said.
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