L-R: Cecilia Dapaah, Sammy Gyamfi and Victoria Hammah
Throughout Ghana’s political history, numerous scandals that have rocked politicians have captured national attention and dominated public discourse, largely due to the seriousness and far-reaching implications of some of these incidents.
One such category of scandals involves foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar, which has often sparked intense public debate and scrutiny.
While some of these political scandals fade quickly without attracting significant public scrutiny, others, like those relating to the US dollar stand out as exceptions — often persisting in national conversation for extended periods, prompting official sanctions, and in more serious cases, resulting in the dismissal of those complicit in such matters.
This GhanaWeb article takes a look at some of these scandals relating to foreign currencies.
Sammy Gyamfi
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board and National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has made headlines after gifting an amount of about $800 dollars to fetish priestess-turned-pastor Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa.
In a video shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Gyamfi was seen standing beside his Range Rover, taking a photo with Nana Agradaa, who had her arm around him while locked in a brief conversation.
In the video at the center of the controversy, Nana Agradaa is heard making a remark to Sammy Gyamfi, prompting him to open the back door of a vehicle. He then sits down and begins counting several US dollar bills before handing a portion of the money to her.
However, Agradaa, seemingly unsatisfied, reaches out and grabs all the notes from Gyamfi’s hands.
She walks away, flaunting the dollar bills to bystanders, boldly declaring, “I have taken dollars from Sammy Gyamfi.”
The NDC stalwart has since come under intense backlash from the public with some calling for his dismissal.
Cecilia Dapaah
Another notable example of a scandal involving foreign currency is the case of former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who came under intense public scrutiny in 2023 following revelations of a reported theft at her Abelemkpe residence.
According to media reports, two house helps allegedly stole significant sums — including one million US dollars, as well as undisclosed amounts in euros and Ghana cedis — over the course of their employment.
Official charge sheets further indicated that, beyond the cash, the accused also made away with personal belongings belonging to Madam Dapaah, including luxury clothing, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry. The value of the stolen non-cash items was reportedly estimated at GH¢95,000 and US$95,000 — figures that shocked many and raised questions about the source and safekeeping of such large sums of money in a private residence.
Amid intense public scrutiny and mounting allegations of corruption, Cecilia Abena Dapaah tendered her resignation from office. In her resignation letter, she stated that her decision was motivated by a desire to protect the government from further reputational damage, as the controversy surrounding the stolen funds had begun to cast a shadow over the administration’s image and integrity.
Victoria Lakshmi Hammah
A former Deputy Minister of Communications, Victoria Hammah, became the focus of national attention in 2013 after an audio recording leaked in which she allegedly stated that she would not leave politics until she had made one million US dollars.
In the recording, believed to be a private conversation with another woman, Hammah spoke candidly about her motivations for entering politics, her perceived influence within government, and the role of the Lithurs in the then-NDC administration.
The controversy generated significant public backlash and ultimately led to her dismissal from office by then-President John Dramani Mahama.
Some of the things the recording purports she said included the following “…I understand politics very well, if I haven’t made a million dollars I wouldn’t go and attack people. If you have money, then you can control over people.”
MAG/VPO
‘Where did you get the dollars?’ Watch as Opambour questions Sammy Gyamfi
