Ghana’s Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has reportedly summoned the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, after a video surfaced online showing him handing over cash, reportedly in U.S. dollars, to religious figure Patricia Oduro Koranteng, popularly known as Nana Agradaa.
Sammy Gyamfi is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the transaction, which has drawn widespread public attention and raised concerns about the conduct of public officials.
The incident comes just weeks after President John Dramani Mahama introduced a Code of Conduct for Public Officials, aimed at strengthening ethical standards and reinforcing public trust in government institutions. Observers say the timing of the footage could undermine ongoing efforts to promote transparency within the public sector.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Transparency International Ghana, Mary Awelana Addah, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to take decisive action on the matter, saying that “I believe that certainly, this is an opportunity for the President to demonstrate above and beyond that he means business by putting in place this Code of Conduct.”
“In this instance, if you go to even the Code of Conduct, you do not see a lot of punitive measures that would be in place to support whatever it is that this gentleman has been cited for,” she noted. Mary Addah also urged President Mahama to issue stern directives to public servants who are yet to comply with existing laws.
“This is a call on the President to perhaps issue a stern warning to those who have not declared their assets to do so. That, for me, shows commitment, a little not just for the optics,” she added.
The video, widely circulated on social media, appears to show a private meeting between Sammy Gyamfi and Agradaa, during which the money is exchanged. While the purpose of the payment has not been disclosed, the optics of the high-ranking government appointee engaging in the exchange with a controversial public figure have sparked debate about propriety and public accountability.
Sammy Gyamfi , in a statement issued on May 11, described the payment as a personal gesture and apologized for what he termed the “unfortunate” public reaction. He said the encounter was not connected to his official role.
The Chief of Staff’s office is reportedly treating the matter with urgency due to the potential reputational risks involved.
Nana Agradaa, a former traditional priestess who now leads a Christian ministry, remains a polarizing figure in Ghanaian public life. Her transition to evangelical work, coupled with past legal controversies, has kept her at the center of public discourse.
