Host of Sompa FM morning show, Omanhene Yaw Adu Boakye, has defended Sammy Gyamfi, the Acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), amid calls by some Ghanaians for his dismissal over a controversial dollar gift to evangelist Nana Agradaa.
The controversy erupted when a video surfaced showing Gyamfi handing over US dollars to Nana Agradaa, sparking outrage among some Ghanaians who viewed the gesture as inappropriate and potentially damaging to Ghana’s fragile currency stability.
Critics have demanded swift action, including calls for Gyamfi’s removal and forensic audits to investigate possible financial impropriety
On his program, Omanhene Yaw Adu Boakye dismissed the uproar as exaggerated, urging the nation to be more serious.
“Let’s get serious as a nation. Why do we make a mountain out of a molehill like this?” he asked rhetorically.
He highlighted that Gyamfi, who has served for just four months, could earn about 60,000 cedis monthly at Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), where he oversees Ghana’s gold sector.
He said “Sammy Gyamfi has worked for four months. Do you know his monthly salary at PMMC? This young man can earn about 60,000 cedis or so. He is in charge of Ghana’s gold.”
He questioned whether PMMC had reported any missing dollars under Gyamfi’s watch, implying there was no financial wrongdoing.
“Has PMMC come out to say their dollars are missing? No,” Adu Boakye said, challenging the narrative that Gyamfi had misappropriated public funds.
“On moral grounds, before he became a minister, it could be he was gifting dollars but it was just that the cameras didn’t capture it.”
The host appealed for understanding of Gyamfi’s youthful energy and generosity, urging critics to stop the noise and focus on more pressing national issues.
“Sammy Gyamfi is not my friend, but we are making so much noise about this. Should we sack him? Set up forensic audits? Who in PMMC has said his money is missing?” he questioned.
He called for an end to the noise around the incident, emphasizing that Gyamfi’s youthful exuberance should be understood rather than condemned.
He added that no official from PMMC has accused Gyamfi of misappropriating funds, challenging critics to produce evidence before demanding his removal or forensic audits.
“Who in PMMC has said his money is missing?”, he angrily asked.
Several prominent figures, including Transparency International Ghana and former MP Ras Mubarak, have called on President John Dramani Mahama to take decisive action, citing ethical concerns and the need to uphold confidence in the cedi.
Sammy Gyamfi has since apologized, describing the gift as a private act of kindness not meant for public display.
Nana Agradaa herself has urged supporters not to criticize the gift, framing it as a blessing and downplaying the amount involved, which she said was only $800.
www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
