A growing ‘corruption’ scandal involving Sammy Gyamfi, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (Goldbod), has intensified political tensions in Ghana, prompting the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to increase pressure on President John Mahama to take immediate action.
The controversy centers on a video showing Mr. Gyamfi handing out notes of US dollars to self-styled evangelist Nana Agradaa from the comfort of his luxury Range Rover on May 10, 2025.
The NPP, through its National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye, has publicly called for swift and decisive action from the presidency.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, May 13, Boakye questioned the President’s commitment to integrity and accountability, especially in light of the new code of conduct President Mahama unveiled just a week ago.
“This is a moment of reckoning. 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.”
Henry Nana Boakye
The NPP leadership emphasized that the incident is more than just a lapse in judgment—it is a matter of public trust and a test of the government’s willingness to confront corruption within its own ranks.
The party is demanding the immediate interdiction of Mr. Gyamfi to allow for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the dollar handouts.
Boakye did not hold back in his criticism, stating plainly that the President must take concrete steps to reinforce the principles of leadership he claims to stand for.
“We want to see some action from President Mahama. We call on the President to show leadership — to act swiftly, decisively, and not to give Mr Gyamfi and the Attorney-General a pat on their backs for this reckless conduct.”
Henry Nana Boakye
The scandal also involves Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, who has come under fire for his response to corruption allegations made by a Member of Parliament.
According to Boakye, instead of addressing the claims, Dr. Ayine threatened to “play in the mud” with the accuser—an approach the NPP described as unbecoming of a top law officer.
Boakye insisted that President Mahama’s response to the scandal will either validate or undermine the credibility of his recently launched code of conduct.
“The entire world is waiting with bated breath on further actions by President Mahama, considering the actions of Mr Sammy Gyamfi and the Attorney-General.”
Henry Nana Boakye
Sammy Gyamfi’s Corruption Case Vis-à-Vis Dapaah’s
Moreover, Henry Nana Boakye drew parallels to previous high-profile cases, citing the example of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah, who voluntarily resigned after reports emerged about large amounts of cash allegedly stolen from her home.
Despite her long-standing career in public service and her family’s considerable financial standing, Dapaah made way for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to conduct a thorough investigation.
“We cannot but remember when huge sums of money were reported to have been stolen from the residence of Madam Cecilia Dapaah. A woman who had worked in high places for over forty years… married to a well-known, wealthy architect and consultant with nearly sixty years’ experience.”
Henry Nana Boakye
Boakye went on to highlight that under the Akufo-Addo administration, Cecilia Dapaah’s resignation and the subsequent investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) set a clear example of accountability—one he believes President Mahama should now follow.
The OSP undertook a rigorous process, which included seven months of extensive investigation and four months of collaborative inquiry involving both Dapaah and her husband.
The NPP maintained that a comparable approach is necessary in the case of Mr. Gyamfi, warning that failing to initiate an impartial probe would reflect poorly on the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
“We also call on the President to immediately interdict Mr Sammy Gyamfi as acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board — or at least, he should interdict him pending the conduct of the investigation by the criminal investigation authorities of the state.”
Henry Nana Boakye
The unfolding scandal not only puts the President’s ethical code under the microscope but also raises broader concerns about governance, the rule of law, and the use of public office for personal gain.
With the public watching closely, President Mahama’s response may set the tone for how corruption is handled under his administration.
As the dust settles, one thing remains clear: the stakes are high, and the pressure is on. Whether the Mahama government will rise to the occasion—or falter under the weight of its own promises—remains to be seen.
