US$800 Gift Saga: NPP Exposes Expensive Living Of Sammy; Says He Drives In A 2025 Range Rover  Autobiography Valued At US $350,000

New Patriotic Party (NPP) has waded into the public outcry over the US$800 cash the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi has given to former fetish priestess-turned-evangelist, Patricia Oduro Koranteng, popularly known as Nana Agradaa.

The opposition party has accused Lawyer Gyamfi, of flaunting opulence and leading an ostentatious lifestyle.Ghanaian food recipes,  exposing expensive living of Mr Gyamfi few months assuming office.

The accusation follows the circulation of a video showing Gyamfi handing over U.S. dollar bills to self-styled evangelist Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa.

The NPP claims the act reflects a troubling level of extravagance for a government appointee and went further to allege that Gyamfi uses the U.S. dollar as his regular currency of choice.

According to the party, the act of Lawyer Gyamfi who is currently holding public office has completely breached several laws of the land and more importantly, mocks and makes nonsensical the recently enacted code of conduct by President John Dramani Mahama.

Among the several laws breached by Sammy Gyamfi are the Sections 3(1) & (4) of the Foreign Exchange Act, 2006 (Act 723) which prohibits a person engaging in the business of dealing in foreign exchange without a license issued under the Act. 

Addressing a press conference, NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye argued that the party’s concerns were further validated by Gyamfi’s mode of transport on the day the video was recorded.

“It may have escaped many observers of this unfortunate incident, but not only was Mr Sammy Gyamfi giving out United States dollars without restraint, but he also engaged in painted opulence just after 120 days in government.

“On the day in question, Mr Gyamfi was being driven in a 2025 Range Rover Autobiography valued at $350,000,” he said.

Mr Boakye also criticised what he described as the extravagant conditions of service enjoyed by Gyamfi in his role as CEO of the Gold Board.

“It is palpable unethical and a complete betrayal of the public trust for Mr Sammy Gyamfi to receive all these benefits on the back of helping maintain a steady currency, yet failed to have any iota of confidence in the Ghana cedi to the extent of using the US Dollars of daily use,” he stated.

Dealing in foreign exchange under the Act includes the receipt or payment of foreign currency which Sammy Gyamfi is seen to have been doing in the video. 

The law in its letter and spirit, prohibits the stacking of dollars as it maintains the Ghana Cedi as the sole legal tender in Ghana. 

You would recall, that the Bank of Ghana has over the years, issued several notices, cautioning that without authorization from the Bank of Ghana, no person is permitted to advertise, price, market, receive or make payments for goods or services in a foreign currency including the united states dollars. The penalty for such violation includes a fine and or imprisonment of up to 18months.

Exactly a week ago, President Mahama unveiled the code of conduct for his appointees and the President is reported to have said that the code “articulates the core values his administration expects from appointees—integrity, honesty, impartiality, respect, decency, incorruptibility, competence, and professionalism”. 

“The President further stressed that all conduct must meet standards capable of withstanding the closest public scrutiny.”

Under Section 1.2 of the Code, Sammy Gyamfi, was required to manage his personal affairs in a manner that withstands the closest public scrutiny and under Section 1.3, he was to take reasonable care to maintain the integrity and reputation of the office he occupies.

Unsurprisingly, Sammy Gyamfi, like an incorrigible child, has blatantly violated both obligations under the Code and the President must in accordance with Section 6 and his pledge at page 9 of the Code, deal swiftly and decisively with Sammy Gyamfi for the breach.

The irony of the present circumstance is that, not only was Sammy Gyamfi a loud critic of Hon. Cecilia Dapaah some months ago but he was equally very critical of Her Ladyship Justice Torkonoo a few weeks ago because the judicial service paid for tickets in dollars although this is the required currency of transaction in such cases.

Sammy Gyamfi is on record to have said on TV3 Keypoints show during the Cecilia Dapaah’s saga that, and I quote him; “once money is found in your custody and you cannot account for the money, and that money is disproportionate to your income, you SHALL be deemed to commit the offence of money laundering.” 

Cecilia Dapaah resigned during this whole brouhaha and availed herself for investigation by state agencies. In the same light, since Sammy Gyamfi is unable to account for such money, he must also resign and avail himself for investigation.

He again, in an interview on Asempa Fm’s Ekosiisen show stated that, the Chief Justice should be sacked for using state funds in dollars, as her medium of exchange instead of the Ghana Cedis which is exactly the same act he engaged in last Saturday. Per his own assertions, he has to be sacked by the President.

Even more ironical is the fact that, Sammy Gyamfi presently heads the GoldBod, which has been touted by this government to be the backbone for the stabilization of the cedi through the maintenance of sufficient Gold Reserves.

If Sammy Gyamfi, the CEO, who is responsible for maintaining sufficient reserves to prevent a depreciation of the cedi, possesses dollars in his daily routine and spends it as if it is the legal tender of Ghana, then clearly he has no confidence in the Ghana Cedi and is therefore unfit to superintend over an institution crucial to the stability of the Ghana Cedis as the GoldBod.

"Let me also state on record that under the Gold Purchasing Programme of the NPP government, our gold reserves as a country which stood at 8.7 tonnes for the last 40 to 50 years grew to about 30.53 tonnes as at the fourth quarter of 2024. This programme is one of the major reasons for the appreciation of the cedi now," he said.

 With reference to the minority’s press conference yesterday, the state cannot be paying Sammy Gyamfi, hefty salaries and allowances for him to be undermining the very currency which is at the heart of his mandate. The state provides the following for  Sammy Gyamfi

A gross basic salary of GH¢1,500,000.00 (1.5m) subject to an annual review and upward adjustment of 15%.

Clothing Allowance of 15% of annual salary, payable once per annum by year end. 

Provision of two security officers or GH¢6,000 each officer as an equivalent. 

One gardener or GH¢4,000 as a cash equivalent. 

Full medical cover for him, his spouse and up to five children. 

Provision of two cars with full maintenance and insurance. 

Fuel Allocation of 1,500 litres of fuel monthly for each official vehicle. 

The official vehicle maybe sold to the Sammy Gyamfi upon contract expiration or termination per the Company's Asset Disposal Policy. 

Thirty (30) working days of paid vacation annually, exclusive of public holidays. 

Airfare up to USD 10,000.00 upon proof of per diem. Per diem of USD 2,000/a day for (seven) 7 days, payable in advance for Annual Familiarization Tour:

Business class Travel tickets for official duties, and a USD 2,000 per diem per day of travel. 

Annual performance bonus subject to set targets and in the accordance to the Company's Bonus Policy. 

Any unspecified CEO-related benefit shall be paid at the prevailing CEO rate plus 20%.

Personal accident and life insurance cover valued at five (5) times the CEO's annual salary.

It is palpably unethical and a complete betrayal of the public trust for Sammy Gyamfi to receive all of these benefits on the back of helping maintain a steady currency and yet, fail to have any iota of confidence in the Ghana Cedi to the extent of using united states dollars as his currency of daily use.

It may have escaped many observers of this unfortunate incident, but not only was Sammy Gyamfi giving out united states dollars without restraint, but Sammy Gyamfi was also engaged patent opulence and ostentation of after just about 120 days in government. On the day in question, Sammy Gyamfi was being driven in a 2025 fully spec Range Rover Autobiography valued averagely at 300,000 United States dollars.

 The questions that should engage the minds of well-meaning Ghanians are how Sammy Gyamfi can afford all of these things under 120 days of being in government and if they are gifts, who these persons gifting him and what relationship do they have to his work as CEO.

If within 120 days in office, appointees of President Mahama have become capable of such opulence and ostentation, then the years ahead would indeed be telling.

Already, there is a cloud of corruption, hanging on President Mahama following the indictment of Dr. Ayine, his Attorney General, as involved in corrupt activities. (Article 88 of the constitution)

Member of Parliament for Gomoah Central  A-Plus accused Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine of soliciting a GH¢500,000 bribe to influence parliamentary appointments .

 Although Dr. Ayine denied the allegations, the incident underscores the need for transparency and integrity within the highest levels of government.

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 outdoored the code of conduct for appointees.

The entire world is waiting with bated breath on further actions by President Mahama considering the actions of Sammy Gyamfi has drawn commentary from international organisations and media outlet.

The NPP called on President Mahama to show leadership to act swiftly, decisively and not give Sammy Gyamfi a pat on his back for this reckless conduct.

 It is crucial to underscore the necessity of adherence to governance practices in line with constitutional and legal provisions that guide the conduct of public officers in Ghana. 

In 2017, former President Akuffo Addo through the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) issued a directive mandating that all party officials who had been appointed to governmental positions by President Akufo-Addo resign from their political party roles, in adherence to best practices in governance and accountability.
 
The rationale behind this directive is grounded in the principle that individuals holding public office should avoid conflicts of interest and ensure that their duties to the state are not compromised by partisan activities. 

The resignation of the following individuals from their party posts in compliance with the directive further exemplifies the commitment to upholding good governance; John Peter Amewu – Volta Regional Chairman, Appointed Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.