In response to a widely shared video that purportedly showed him giving evangelist and former fetish priestess Patricia Oduro Koranteng, also known as Nana Agradaa, an undisclosed amount of money in US dollars, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has called in Acting Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi of the Ghana Gold Board.
Sammy Gyamfi has been called to go before the Chief of Staff to explain the circumstances behind the transaction, which has drawn severe public criticism and aroused questions about the moral behavior of public officials, according to sources.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows Gyamfi in what seems to be a confrontation with Nana Agradaa personally.
A top public official sending money to a controversial religious figure has sparked an abundance of speculation and public outrage, but the exact nature and goal of the cash handover are still unknown.
The recently released Code of Conduct for Public Officials, which places a strong emphasis on honesty, responsibility, and openness in public service, has been criticized for possibly undercutting President John Dramani Mahama’s policies.
As part of larger initiatives to combat corruption and rebuild public confidence in government institutions, the code was designed.
On Sunday, May 11, Sammy Gyamfi expressed regret for the incident and clarified that it resulted from a private act of goodwill that regrettably made its way into the public domain.
But, according to sources, the Chief of Staff is handling the situation urgently because of the political sensitivity and reputational concerns. Now a self-described evangelist, Nana Agradaa has long been a divisive character in Ghanaian politics.
Her participation in ancient spiritual practices was well-known before she openly broke with them and started a Christian ministry. Her current public scandals and previous legal troubles are still being scrutinized.