The scandal involving GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi continues to ignite widespread outrage across Ghana, as demands for accountability grow louder from both civil society groups and opposition leaders.
Mary Addah, Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), has weighed in strongly, warning that defending the embattled CEO is possible only through what she called a “politically coloured lens”—a perspective she dismissed as hollow.
Addah pointed out that the situation is unmistakably a breach of the ethical code established for public officials, and she is calling on both the public and the presidency to respond with decisive action.
She directed her appeal squarely at President John Dramani Mahama, stressing that his response will be a litmus test of his commitment to ethical governance.
“It is within the President’s power to determine what is right, and again, the Code of Conduct tells him how. Either there is a warning or a suspension. He has many options to take. “How seriously the President sees this matter is how he will deal with it, and then going forward, the people of Ghana will see how serious the President is in upholding his code of conduct he has put in place for his officers.”
Mary Addah
Addah emphasized that the Ghanaian public is observing the situation with keen interest and will ultimately judge President Mahama’s commitment to ethical leadership by the steps he chooses to take—or fails to take.
According to her, this moment presents a critical opportunity for the President to demonstrate whether the principles of accountability and integrity he has endorsed are more than just rhetoric.
Her comments come after a viral video emerged over the weekend showing Sammy Gyamfi handing an undisclosed sum of cash in US dollars to the controversial evangelist Nana Agradaa.
Gyamfi’s actions have sparked widespread backlash across Ghana, with many criticizing the move as a clear violation of the ethical code set by President Mahama for his officials. The incident has raised serious concerns about accountability and integrity within government ranks.
Minority Criticizes Sammy Gyamfi for Financial Mismanagement
Meanwhile, the pressure on President Mahama isn’t only coming from civil society. Within Parliament, the Minority caucus has amplified the urgency of the matter.
Dr. Kabiru Tia Mahama, a prominent member of the Finance Committee, delivered a scathing critique of Sammy Gyamfi’s conduct, describing it as “financial recklessness and shameful arrogance.”
Dr. Mahama didn’t mince words as he outlined what he sees as a broader pattern of misgovernance under Mahama’s leadership.
“It sadly encapsulates the arrogance, hypocrisy, and gross insensitivity that have come to define the NDC government under President John Dramani Mahama.”
Dr. Kabiru Tia Mahama
According to him, the scandal represents more than just poor judgment—it’s an insult to Ghanaians already reeling under economic hardship.
“This display of financial recklessness is not only a betrayal of public trust but also a slap in the face of the millions of Ghanaians currently grappling with the devastating effects of cedi inflation and the unbearable cost of living.”
Dr. Kabiru Tia Mahama
Adding to the irony of the situation, Dr. Mahama highlighted that Gyamfi had once portrayed himself as a staunch advocate for economic discipline, national currency loyalty, and anti-corruption efforts.
This, he noted, made the current allegations particularly troubling, as they stand in stark contrast to the values Gyamfi previously claimed to uphold, exposing what he views as a deep hypocrisy.
These are not isolated criticisms. Rather, they reflect a growing sentiment in the country that public trust is being eroded by repeated lapses in integrity at high levels of government.
With Ghana’s citizens grappling daily with rising food prices, fluctuating fuel costs, and shrinking economic opportunity, such scandals feel particularly bitter.
Supporters of Mahama argue that he should not be rushed into decisions based on public outrage alone.
Yet the reality remains: silence or delay on this issue may be politically costly. The president, whose administration once touted transparency and ethical governance as pillars of its legacy, now faces a critical juncture.
What makes the GoldBod CEO affair so damning is the contrast between the lofty standards of public service and the stark behavior on display.
If the administration fails to impose consequences—or worse, brushes off the episode—it risks reinforcing a dangerous norm: that political loyalty offers immunity from accountability.
Mary Addah’s warning serves as a reminder that good governance doesn’t simply emerge from codes of conduct or lofty speeches.
It emerges when leaders are held accountable—not just by their political opponents, but by the institutions and citizens they serve. Whether Mahama will meet this moment with the seriousness it demands remains to be seen.
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