The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, has stirred debate by suggesting that if possessing U.S. dollars is considered a crime in Ghana, then all forex bureaus should be converted into chop bars.
His remarks follow the circulation of a viral video allegedly showing the Acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi, handing over what appears to be U.S. dollars to Evangelist Patricia, popularly known as Agradaa. The footage has sparked public outrage, particularly from concerned citizens and the Minority in Parliament, who are calling for Mr. Gyamfi’s suspension and a thorough investigation into the incident.
Mr. Basintale strongly defended the legality of possessing foreign currency in Ghana, emphasizing that forex bureaus legally established entities are authorized to trade in dollars and other currencies.
He questioned the logic of criminalizing Mr. Gyamfi’s actions, stating that if handling dollars is now deemed a crime, then every forex bureau in the country might as well be turned into a chop bar, because they would no longer serve a purpose.
“The reason why it is not a crime to posses dollars in this country is because we even have Forex, and the Forex Bureaus that are registered under the laws of this country permit you to buy and sell dollar. So if it is a crime then the Forex Bureaus should be turned into Chop bars,” he said.
Addressing reports that the Chief of Staff had summoned Sammy Gyamfi, Basintale clarified that there has been no official communication confirming such an invitation. He urged the public to treat such reports with caution.
Even if an invitation had been extended, he added, it should not be interpreted as proof of guilt. He reiterated that handling foreign currency in Ghana is legal and should not be sensationalized.
