The Presidency has cautioned the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, over a recent video involving controversial evangelist Patricia Asiedu, popularly known as Agradaa.
According to the Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the matter has been addressed with a formal caution, and no further sanctions are expected.
Speaking at a press briefing at Jubilee House on Wednesday,May 14, Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that Mr Gyamfi was summoned by the Chief of Staff following the public circulation of the video. During the meeting, he offered an explanation and expressed regret for his actions.
“You would recall that in the immediate aftermath of the incident, Mr Sammy Gyamfi issued a public apology and acknowledged public concerns. He was later invited to the Presidency to explain the situation in detail,” Kwakye Ofosu said.
He added that President Mahama, who was out of the country at the time, was later briefed on the outcome of the discussion. The Presidency, having accepted Mr Gyamfi’s apology and explanation, has decided that a caution is sufficient.
“The view is that the Presidency acknowledges Mr Gyamfi’s immediate expression of regret. He has been cautioned, with no further action expected,” Kwakye Ofosu noted.
The response from the Presidency signals a desire to turn the page on the incident, while reinforcing the expectation that public officials conduct themselves responsibly.
In a related development, Eric Dumenu Akatsi who had earlier petitioned Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)has officially withdrawn his petition.
Akatsi, who initially raised concerns over the implications of the dollar gift, said on Tuesday that he was stepping back from the matter. In a statement, he clarified that he holds no personal issues with Mr. Gyamfi and does not believe any crime was committed.
“I wish to state for the record that I have no personal issues with Mr. Sammy Gyamfi. My concerns were purely in the interest of transparency. That said, I do not believe he has committed any crime, and I have therefore decided to withdraw the petition,” he noted.
The withdrawal of the petition brings a significant relief to Mr. Gyamfi, whose gesture in the viral video sparked heated public debate over propriety and accountability in public office
