The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Edudzi Tameklo , has said that other government appointees have learnt their lessons from what has now become known as the Sammy-Gyamfi-Agradaa saga.
He said the issue has become topical because of the high standard of governance expected of President John Mahama’s appointees.
Mr Tameklo made the comment in relation to the controversy generated by the content of a viral video involving the Acting CEO of the Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi and Prophetess Agradaa. In the video, Sammy Gyamfi is seen counting several dollar notes and giving to the Prophetess.
“Thankfully, my brother Sammy, immediately this matter was brought to his attention, has publicly come out to apologise to the good people of this country that he acknowledges that this thing has robbed, not properly, with the sensibilities of Ghanaians. So, he has apologised to the good people of this country and his excellency the President.
I think that the lesson for all of us, including myself, is the fact that the standard we will be judged with is a very high standard. So, it requires that we will be sensitive to our environment and the things that happen around us. It’s become a lesson for all of us,” he said on TV3’s Big Issue on May 12.
The Ag. NPA CEO therefore urged his colleague appointees to live above reproach.
“We live in a political environment that has placed a higher standard, particularly on appointees of President Mahama. And I can appreciate the reason for this higher standard. If you look at where we are coming from, the 8 years of decal among others.
The ordinary Ghanaians has a higher expectation of all of us appointees of President Mahama. The other thing that President Mahama has also done is the opportunity given to us very young people to serve in his government. In fact, almost 70% of us are persons who are less than 50 years of age,” Mr Tameklo stated.
He revealed that the incident happened at the one-week observation Prophet Nigel Gaisie.
“It was at Nigel Gaisie’s dad’s one week that my good brother Sammy met Patricia, the Prophetess. And in the conversation, you know Agradaa has always had issues with Owusu Bempah, he admonished that there is a need for peace, that’s all. Then Subsequently what happened, happened,”he said.
Reacting to comments that what Mr Gyamfi did flouts the recently launched Code of Conduct for President Mahama’s appointees, he said the provisions of the Code do not cover gift giving by government appointees.
“I have taken the code of conduct as a Bible immediately it came out; I had a copy on my phone so that I can easily be going through it as a guide. Basically, what the code of conduct does is for ministers, deputies, CEOs, deputies CEOs, we have a responsibility on gifts. It is silent on you giving. From the interaction on the video, it was rather Sammy Gyamfi who offered. The issue about the violation of the code, with respect, does not arise,” he said.
Meanwhile. Mr Gyamfi has explained the circumstances under which the incident occurred and apologised.
“I sincerely thought that I was doing this act of kindness in private, and never imagined that same could find its way into the public space. That is unfortunate and regrettable. I must say that I understand the uproar that this gesture has generated, particularly from comrades who are sincerely hurt by same. To all such comrades, I AM SINCERELY SORRY for this unfortunate act of indiscretion,” he wrote on social media on May 11.
