Sammy Gyamfi’s Dollar Gift: A Slap In The Face To Ghana’s Struggling Youth,  Economic Uncertainty – FoB’08 Raises Concerns 

The recent viral video of Sammy Gyamfi gifting U.S. dollars to Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, has ignited intense debate across Ghana.

The Members of Friends of Bawumia – 2008 Group (FoB’08 Foundation), a platform advocating for Ghana’s youth and economic stability, raises serious concerns about ethical conduct, devaluation of the Ghanaian cedi, and neglect of pressing socio-economic issues.

According to them, Ghana’s youth, grappling with over 12% unemployment, are demoralized by Gyamfi’s actions, adding that the public display of foreign currency sends a demotivating message, potentially normalizing ostentatious wealth displays over hard work and ethical conduct.

They said that Gyamfi’s dollar gift undermines efforts to strengthen the local currency, fueling speculative demand and exacerbating economic inequality.

According to FoB’08, the controversy deepens with reports of unpaid salaries and allowances to public sector workers, raising questions about the source of Gyamfi’s gifted dollars.

FoB’08 demands transparency and prioritization of critical payments.

FoB’08 urges President Mahama to investigate the source of dollars and impose sanctions if necessary.

 

 

See the full statement below.

 

FoB’08 Perspective On Sammy Gyamfi’s Dollar Gift To Agradaa: Implications For Ghana’s Youth, Currency, And Public Trust

 

The recent viral video of Sammy Gyamfi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), publicly gifting U.S. dollars to Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, has sparked intense debate across Ghana. From the perspective of FoB’08, a platform dedicated to advocating for the interests of Ghana’s youth and economic stability, this incident raises serious concerns about ethical conduct, the devaluation of the Ghanaian cedi, and the neglect of pressing socio-economic issues like youth unemployment and unpaid government obligations. Below, we outline our stance on the matter and its broader implications.

 

Ethical Misstep by a Government Appointee

Sammy Gyamfi’s decision to gift dollars in a public setting, especially to a controversial figure like Agradaa, is a significant lapse in judgment for a government appointee. As a high-ranking official, Sammy is expected to uphold President John Dramani Mahama’s recently launched Code of Conduct for Public Officials, which emphasizes integrity and restraint from ostentatious displays. The act, captured on video with Agradaa flaunting the dollar bills while declaring, “I have taken dollars from Sammy Gyamfi,” projects an image of opulence that undermines the administration’s commitment to public service. This is particularly troubling given Gyamfi’s role as a prominent NDC figure who campaigned on accountability and criticized lavish spending by the previous government.

FoB’08 views this incident as a betrayal of public trust, especially when grassroots NDC supporters, many of whom are unemployed youth, report being denied even modest financial assistance from Gyamfi. One supporter lamented on X, “I approached Sammy Gyamfi to help me pay my fees, all I needed was Gh¢1000 but he said he had no money… yet has given Agradaa something bigger than I needed.” Such actions fuel perceptions of favoritism and insensitivity, alienating the very youth who campaigned vigorously for the NDC’s victory.

 

Impact on Ghana’s Youth

Ghana’s youth, grappling with a staggering unemployment rate of over 12% (with estimates suggesting higher figures for those aged 15-35), are particularly disheartened by this incident. The public display of foreign currency by a government official sends a demoralizing message to young Ghanaians struggling to secure jobs or meet basic needs. Instead of prioritizing initiatives to address youth unemployment, such as vocational training, startup funding, or job creation programs, Sammy’s actions suggest a disconnect from the economic realities facing ordinary citizens.

Moreover, the optics of gifting dollars to a controversial figure like Agradaa, whose past as a self-proclaimed “money-doubling” priestess remains contentious, risks normalizing flamboyant displays of wealth. This could mislead impressionable youth into valuing ostentatious gestures over hard work and ethical conduct, further eroding trust in public institutions. FoB’08 believes that government appointees should model behaviors that inspire hope and resilience among the youth, not actions that deepen disillusionment.

 

Devaluation of the Ghanaian Cedi

The gifting of U.S. dollars, especially at a time when the cedi has shown signs of appreciation, is particularly damaging to Ghana’s economic stability. Former MP Ras Mubarak aptly noted that such actions signal a lack of confidence in the cedi, undermining efforts to strengthen the local currency. Ghana has long battled dollarization, with schools, hotels, and property owners increasingly demanding payments in U.S. dollars, which weakens the cedi’s value and exacerbates economic inequality.

In March 2024, Sammy himself criticized the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration for the cedi’s devaluation, noting that an exchange rate of 13.75 cedis to one dollar caused “tremendous hardship for businesses and Ghanaians at large.” His recent actions contradict this stance, as public displays of forex transactions by officials can fuel speculative demand for dollars, further pressuring the cedi.

 

Unpaid Government Obligations and Public Sector Neglect

Adding to the controversy is the timing of Gyamfi’s actions. Reports indicate that many government appointees, including Sammy, have not been paid salaries five months into the NDC administration, raising questions about the source of the dollars gifted. Prophet Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom (Opambour) questioned, “You have never shared dollars, today, where did you get the dollars from? People may think that you have started embezzling state funds.” While Sammy claims the gift was a personal act of kindness, the lack of transparency fuels suspicions, especially when public sector workers, including teachers and health workers, are reportedly owed allowances and arrears.

FoB’08 finds it unacceptable that a government official can publicly distribute foreign currency while critical obligations, such as payments to public sector workers and support for unemployed youth, remain unaddressed. The government’s failure to prioritize these payments undermines its credibility and exacerbates economic hardship for ordinary Ghanaians, many of whom rely on timely disbursements to survive.

 

Broader Implications and Call to Action

The Sammy Gyamfi-Agradaa incident is not merely about the $800 or $10,000 reportedly gifted (estimates vary). It reflects deeper systemic issues: the disconnect between political elites and the masses, the erosion of public trust, and the failure to prioritize economic stability and youth empowerment. Transparency International Ghana’s Executive Director, Mary Awelana Addah, rightly called for “robust accountability frameworks” to address such lapses, emphasizing that President Mahama must act decisively to restore public confidence.

 

FoB’08 demands the following:

1. Accountability and Sanctions: President Mahama should investigate the source of the dollars and impose sanctions if Gyamfi’s actions violate the Code of Conduct. This will signal the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and upholding ethical standards.

2. Support for Unemployed Youth: The government must prioritize job creation and financial support programs for Ghana’s youth, redirecting resources from symbolic gestures to tangible solutions.

3. Cedi Stabilization Measures: Public officials should be mandated to use the cedi in all domestic transactions to bolster confidence in the local currency and curb dollarization.

4. Clearance of Arrears: The government must expedite payments to public sector workers and appointees to address economic hardships and restore trust in its administration.

In conclusion, Sammy Gyamfi’s dollar gift to Agradaa is a stark reminder of the need for public officials to act with discretion and prioritize national interests. For Ghana’s youth, struggling under the weight of unemployment and economic uncertainty, such incidents are a slap in the face. FoB’08 urges the government to address these concerns swiftly, ensuring that actions align with the promises of accountability, economic stability, and youth empowerment that brought the NDC to power.

 

By:

FoB’08 Foundation

Communication Team

 

 

 

WATCH: I Will Return Sammy Gyamfi’s $800 Gift And Even Double It – Agradaa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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