Dollar gift saga: The Code of Conduct is my Bible – Edudzi Tamekloe

Edudzi Tamekloe

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Edudzi Tamekloe, says he treats President John Mahama’s newly launched Code of Conduct as his guiding moral compass, likening it to a religious text.

“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,” he stated during an appearance on TV3’s Big Issue on May 12.

Tamekloe’s remarks came as part of a broader conversation surrounding the controversial video of Sammy Gyamfi, Acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, handing out dollar notes to Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa. The footage sparked widespread backlash, leading to Gyamfi issuing a public apology.

“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,” Gyamfi posted on May 11.

President Mahama unveiled the Code of Conduct as a key part of his 120-day social contract with Ghanaians, emphasizing discipline and accountability for all his appointees. He made it clear at the launch that any violation of the code would attract consequences.

Tamekloe acknowledged that while Gyamfi’s actions may not have breached the code in a technical sense, the controversy reflects the heightened expectations Ghanaians now have of Mahama’s appointees.

“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,” he noted.

He continued, “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.”

Tamekloe praised Gyamfi for taking swift responsibility and offering a sincere apology.

“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,” he stated.

Reflecting on the broader implications, he noted, “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.”

Shedding more light on the incident, Tamekloe explained that it occurred during a memorial gathering for Prophet Nigel Gaisie’s father.

“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.”