Patricia Asiedua, widely known as Nana Agradaa, has urged supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to stop criticising Sammy Gyamfi’s dollar donation to her, labelling the backlash as unwarranted.
In a viral video, the founder of Heaven Way Champion International Ministry addressed the ongoing controversy, asserting that the sum in question was merely ‘800 dollars’ and encouraging party members to view the gesture as a divine blessing rather than a source of contention. “What is $800? NDC supporters should not feel offended by this,” Agradaa remarked. “The Bible teaches us not to covet our neighbour’s blessings—always seek to tap into someone else’s fortune.”
Her comments come in the wake of significant debate following the release of footage showing Gyamfi, the acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), publicly presenting her with the cash. Critics, including former MP Ras Mubarak, have denounced the act as detrimental to confidence in the cedi. However, Agradaa has framed it as a generous act that others should aspire to receive.
“If Mama Pat has been blessed by Sammy Gyamfi, then party supporters should pray to receive the same blessing from him,” she advised. She also warned against denouncing acts of goodwill, stating, “If you criticise this gesture and someone blesses you, it becomes a curse.”
**Gyamfi Issues Apology**
In the meantime, Gyamfi has issued an apology regarding the incident, clarifying that his intentions were purely charitable. In a post on social media, he explained: “This was simply a kind gesture towards a fellow human being, consistent with my daily and lifelong practice of helping those in need.”
He expressed regret over the video’s dissemination, stating, “I genuinely believed I was performing this act of kindness in private and never anticipated it would enter the public domain. That is unfortunate and regrettable.”
Addressing the discontent within the NDC, Gyamfi added: “I recognise the uproar this gesture has caused, especially among comrades who are genuinely hurt by it. To all such comrades, I am sincerely sorry for this unfortunate lapse in judgement.”
Despite the controversy, he reaffirmed his dedication to public service, stating, “My perspective on public office as a privilege to serve society remains unchanged.”
The incident has reignited discussions surrounding dollarisation and its effects on Ghana’s economy. Critics argue that public displays of foreign exchange transactions, particularly by officials, undermine the stability of the cedi and contravene the government’s Code of Conduct.
