Agradaa Hails Sammy Gyamfi After $800 Gift Sparks Ethics Debate

Controversial televangelist Evangelist Mama Pat, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, has publicly declared her admiration for National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, after an encounter that ended with her receiving $800 in cash. The interaction has since gone viral, sparking intense public debate.

In the video, Agradaa recounted the meeting, noting that she had approached Sammy Gyamfi to apologise for her previous criticism of the NDC and its leader, John Dramani Mahama, particularly during the 2024 elections.

“John Dramani Mahama will be president for 8 years. After everything I did to JM and the NDC, when I met Sammy Gyamfi, he didn’t sack me. He welcomed and embraced me,” she said.

Agradaa then asked Gyamfi money for fuel. “And when he was leaving, I asked him for money. He went into his car and gave me dollars. I asked him for fuel, and he gave me $800,” she stated.

Praising his generosity, she declared, “I need more! Sammy Gyamfi has won my heart with that gesture. Today it’s my turn, tomorrow will be your turn, so don’t be angry or envious.”

Sammy Gyamfi, who is also Acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has come under fire for giving out foreign currency in public while holding a sensitive public position. Many critics see the act as inappropriate.

Addressing the backlash via social media, Gyamfi clarified that the gesture was personal and spontaneous. “I sincerely thought that I was doing this act of kindness in private and never imagined that same could find its way into the public space. That is unfortunate and regrettable,” he wrote. He added that such acts were part of his “daily and life-long custom of lending a helping hand to people in need.”

However, Transparency International Ghana’s Executive Director, Mary Awelana Addah, is urging President Mahama to take action. Speaking on Channel One TV, she said, “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.”

She also called for the urgent passage of the Conduct of Public Officers Bill to hold officials accountable and enforce ethical governance.