Abesim: The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) on Monday condemned a viral video showing Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), handing over undisclosed sums of US dollars to Madam Patricia Oduro Koranteng, a popular social media influencer and evangelist known as 'Nana Agradaa' (Thunder).
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Samuel Harrison-Cudjoe, Programs Officer at the GACC, criticized the video, describing Mr. Gyamfi's actions, who is also the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as a breach of portions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. This code had been recently launched by President John Dramani Mahama. Mr. Harrison-Cudjoe's comments came in response to a question during the opening session of a two-day sensitization training and capacity-building event for stakeholders in Ghana's anti-corruption drive held in Abesim, near Sunyani.
The participant questioned whether Mr. Gyamfi's actions, as depicted in the viral video, constituted corruption. Mr. Harrison-Cudjoe stated, "In fact, in my mind, what Sammy Gyamfi did breaches the propriety angle and the statement of ethics of the Code of Conduct. It is a careless behavior and an act of indiscretion that our leaders should not put up at all. Our leaders must exhibit proper behavior, and the President must punish him for that to serve as a deterrent to like-minded others." He further emphasized the need for accountability, especially as the nation is moving towards a cashless economy.
Mr. Leonard Amengo, a renowned journalist and the Operations Director of Media Light Consult, also criticized Mr. Gyamfi's actions, describing them as "immature" and "inexperienced." He called on the government to investigate the source of the money involved.
Mr. Raphael Ahenu noted that while there is no law in Ghana prohibiting the giving of gifts, Mr. Gyamfi, as a public figure holding an esteemed government position, should be held to a higher standard. He stated that until the source of the money is confirmed, Mr. Gyamfi's actions could not be directly labeled as corruption but supported the call for a government investigation into the incident.
The GACC, in collaboration with the Center for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana), is organizing the training as part of its Strengthening Accountability, Rule of Law, and Institutional Responsiveness in Ghana (SARI) project. This initiative, funded by the European Union, is a consortium project by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), and GACC, aimed at empowering citizens and promoting transparency.
The viral video of Mr. Gyamfi was a focal point of discussion among participants, including chiefs, queens, media representatives, and officials from various public institutions and agencies, during the training event.