Convention People’s Party (CPP) member Kwame Jantuah has criticized the public outcry over National Democratic Congress (NDC) figure Sammy Gyamfi’s alleged dollar gift to evangelist Patricia Oduro Koranteng, calling the backlash excessive despite acknowledging Gyamfi’s misjudgment.
Speaking on Asaase Radio’s The Forum, Jantuah argued the controversy reflects cultural biases against foreign currency transactions rather than ethical breaches.
“Sammy Gyamfi should have acted more prudently, but the pursuit of this issue stems from the fact that it involved dollars, not cedis,” Jantuah stated. He questioned whether critics would react similarly if the gift were in local currency, labeling the scrutiny a “misplaced cultural practice.”
Jantuah defended Gyamfi’s financial capacity, asserting the politician could afford the gift without public office. “Even if he gave $1,000, is that unattainable for him privately? Since he’s in government, caution was needed—but the outrage is disproportionate,” he added.
Addressing President John Mahama’s decision not to suspend Gyamfi, Jantuah suggested the move followed careful deliberation. “The President likely deemed this inconsequential. Gyamfi and others have learned from it,” he said, shifting focus to accountability: “The real issues are the money’s source and tax compliance, not the gift itself.”
The remarks underscore broader debates about financial transparency and cultural perceptions in Ghanaian politics, with Jantuah urging scrutiny of systemic accountability over sensationalized controversies.