President Mahama gifts dancer money; clarifies it’s GH₵500, not dollars (VIDEO)

President John Dramani Mahama subtly addressed the controversy surrounding the recent "dollar gift" saga involving the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, by offering clarification on a similar gesture he made during his "Thank You Tour."

While making a stop at the Old Ghanata Astroturf in Dodowa on Friday, May 16, the President handed money to a dancer who performed at the event.

Shortly afterward, he addressed supporters and clarified that the amount he gave was GH₵500—not U.S. dollars.

His remark, delivered with a touch of humor, appeared to reference and lightly mock the ongoing Sammy Gyamfi–Agradaa saga, drawing laughter from the crowd.

“To put on record that the money I gave was GH₵500 not dollars,” he said.

President Mahama’s clarification comes in the wake of public criticism aimed at Sammy Gyamfi, who faced backlash for gifting U.S. dollars to priestess-turned-evangelist Patricia Asiama—a gesture widely viewed as inappropriate and reflective of broader concerns about decorum and accountability in public office.

Following the controversy, Gyamfi issued a public apology. President Mahama accepted the apology but advised him to exercise greater restraint and sound judgment in the future.