As the government mulls the ‘punishment’ to give to the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, from the backlash over viral videos of him handing out dollars to Patricia Oduro Koranteng, popularly known as Nana Agradaa — a former fetish priestess turned evangelist.
The Spokesperson for the President, who doubles as the Minister of State in Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has indicated that the government will make a decision on the matter upon the return of President John Dramani Mahama, who is currently out of the country for African Union programmes.
While a faction of the public, including several personalities and supposed foot soldiers, is calling on President Mahama to deal ruthlessly with Sammy Gyamfi, the other faction has defended the Gold Board CEO, who is also the National Communication Officer of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
A number of notable individuals, across the political divide, are among those defending Sammy Gyamfi, stating that there was nothing wrong with his actions.
Here is what some of the personalities who have defended him have said.
1. Dr Cadman Mills:
Brother of the late former President, Dr Cadman Atta Mills, has said that he does not know what the fuss is about the NDC National Communication Officer’s action.
He asked the people who are bashing Sammy Gyamfi and calling for his head to explain the exact crime he has committed by giving Agradaa the money.
“FOR THE LIFE OF ME, CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT ALL THIS FUSS ABOUT SAMMY GYAMFI IS ALL ABOUT???? Is the problem that ‘he was caught’ (a) making a gift in dollars instead of cedis, (b) that the gift was to someone known to be unsympathetic to the NDC while the foot soldiers are wallowing in poverty, (c) that the amount ($800?) was too high,
“… (d) that Sammy Gyamfi could not possibly legally have come across this sum (and especially in dollars, and I am sure there is probably much more where it came from) unless he was involved in shady deals? Can somebody explain to me because I am actually quite perplexed!” he wrote.
2. Martin Kpebu:
Renowned legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has also defended Sammy Gyamfi.
Speaking in an interview on 3fm, Martin Kpebu refuted assertions that the acting CEO’s action amounts to a display of public opulence.
He explained that Sammy Gyamfi entered his car to give the money to Agradaa, and it is no fault of his that the cameras captured the “private action”.
“He entered the car and counted the money. So it’s the paparazzi… that snooped in on him. I think we should start the analysis from that point. He entered the car. He didn’t stand publicly to count the money. He entered the car and counted. Then a camera was put in there.
“That’s why I said this thing. We really have to be careful how we are analysing. Look at the video. He didn’t stand openly and then start counting. He entered the car. The car is his private space. That car is not a public space… It’s his private space. And he didn’t invite people in,” he said.
Sammy Gyamfi entered his car to count the money, he didn’t stand openly & publicly to count the money. His car is his private space – Lawyer Martin Kpebu pic.twitter.com/nTWF3Nan5a
— KOJO DYNAMIC 𓃵 (@AnnanPerry) May 12, 2025
3. Odike:
The founder and leader of the United Front Party (UFP), Akwasi Addai Odike, has also jumped to the defence of Sammy Gyamfi.
Speaking in an interview on Angel FM, Odike said Sammy Gyamfi had done no wrong because there is no proof that the money he gave to Agradaa was stolen.
“Sammy has done no wrong, and there is no law in Ghana that dictates how people should spend their money. Also, no law directs people on who they should give their money to and who they should not.
“And so the foot soldiers should stop it… Sammy Gyamfi has done no wrong. I’m not a member of the NDC, but Sammy Gyamfi has done no wrong,” Odike said.
Thank you Akwasi Addai Odike of the UFP. God bless you for your objectivity. pic.twitter.com/vw05JlcVUb
— MPK 𓃵 (@MPKwarteng_) May 12, 2025
4. Sam George:
Sam George, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, has also refuted assertions that Sammy Gyamfi has not been catering for the grassroots of the NDC.
In a post shared on Facebook, the minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, said he has been advocating for jobs for NDC members more than anybody.
“A comrade who has stood with many and continues to do so. You may have issues with who he gave to and what he gave, but let’s be fair to the young man.
“Since I have been appointed, Sammy is the most troublesome person on my phone, looking for jobs for party people. It is who he is. I can relate with all the attacks, but Sammy Gyamfi, keep your head up, respond to the query, but always know you have the respect and affection of many,” he wrote.
5. Shatta Wale:
Ghanaian dancehall sensation Shatta Wale has defended the CEO of the Ghana Gold Board.
In a post shared on his Facebook handle on May 12, 2025, Shatta Wale slammed critics, accusing them of unfairly targeting Gyamfi.
According to him, Gyamfi had been helping people even before his appointment by President John Dramani Mahama.
“Do you all know when Sammy Gyamfi started helping the streets? All of you should shut up and leave the young man alone if you don’t know about someone’s humble beginnings. We like tarnishing people’s image too much,” Shatta Wale wrote.
6. Nana Aba Anamoah:
Media personality Nana Aba Anamoah has slammed Ghanaians for criticising Sammy Gyamfi for handing dollar bills to Agradaa.
In a post shared on May 12, 2025, Nana Aba questioned why Ghanaians are acting as though Sammy Gyamfi had never had dollars before his party assumed power.
Asking Ghanaians to cut him some slack, she quizzed, “You mean Sammy Gyamfi had no dollars until his party won the election? He had never seen dollars before January 7, 2025?” she asked sarcastically.
Nana Aba also expressed disappointment in both the public and certain media houses, describing the ongoing discussion as a shallow level of political discourse.
“I thought it was all social media banter until I heard the conversation on the radio. Honestly, you lot need to raise the level of political discourse,” she added.
7. Francis-Xavier Sosu
The Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has also mounted a strong defence for the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board.
According to him, those criticising Sammy Gyamfi are merely expressing resentment and personal grievances, suggesting that their reactions stem from an inability to comprehend or accept Gyamfi’s elevation to his current position — an advancement he attributed to the blessings and favour of God.
“It is well. You committed no crime. The haters are hurt. They can’t believe that God can lift and bless you such that you can become a blessing unto others. Leave them – let them do their worst.
“We got you. God has your back. Stay focused and blessed,” Sosu shared this together with a picture of Sammy Gyamfi on his Facebook page on Monday, May 12, 2025.
8. Owusu Bempah
Ernest Owusu Bempah, a deputy director of communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has also jumped to the defence of Sammy Gyamfi.
Speaking in an interview on Net2 TV, Owusu Bempah said that he sees no wrongdoing or crime for which the young politician should be dismissed.
“This noise being made about Sammy Gyamfi gifting dollars to Agradaa is dead on arrival. Nobody has the moral right to attack that young man. Nobody can attack Sammy Gyamfi on this particular matter. Has he stolen money? Whoever has evidence that Sammy Gyamfi has stolen money should bring it out and let the Office of the Special Prosecutor deal with him. Are we saying that because Sammy Gyamfi hasn’t had an extensive working life, he cannot boast of just $10,000? Let us speak the truth. Nobody should go around attacking the young man, and I will say this anywhere.
“We should be careful about the way we do our politics. If there had been a scandal at GOLDBOD, that would be a different matter. As for me, I don’t support such jealousy. He is a young man who has followed Mahama for a long time, and now people want to vilify him and get him removed. No, when young people are doing well, we should support them. He has apologised and admitted that what he did was a case of youthful exuberance. But the calls for his dismissal are misplaced,” he said.
Sammy Gyamfi committed no crime.- Owusu Bempah pic.twitter.com/UjK85lF1Fe
— KOJO DYNAMIC 𓃵 (@AnnanPerry) May 12, 2025
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