The Reform for Youth Empowerment (RYE) has issued a statement to address and debunk several misleading claims circulating in the media concerning Professor Ransford Gyampo, the recently appointed Acting CEO of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). These allegations paint a picture of impropriety and misuse of office, but the RYE asserts they are deliberate fabrications designed to damage Prof. Gyampo’s reputation and undermine his leadership. The RYE urges the public to disregard these malicious falsehoods and recognize them as attempts to discredit a dedicated public servant.
The first point of clarification addresses the issue of an official vehicle. Contrary to reports suggesting Prof. Gyampo acquired a new Toyota Land Cruiser upon assuming his role, the RYE explains that the decision to procure the vehicle predates his appointment. The procurement process was initiated and completed by the previous Board, and Prof. Gyampo has not yet been assigned an official vehicle. He currently utilizes vehicles from the GSA’s shared pool for official duties and often resorts to using his personal car, demonstrating a commitment to fiscal responsibility rather than exploiting state resources.
The second allegation concerns the dismissal of 30 GSA employees. The RYE categorically denies Prof. Gyampo’s involvement in any such action. They clarify that a directive from the Chief of Staff mandated the withdrawal of personnel employed after the elections under the previous NPP government. This directive affected only nine staff members at the GSA, not 30 as falsely reported. Attributing these dismissals to Prof. Gyampo is a misrepresentation of the facts and an attempt to unfairly burden him with the consequences of a decision made at a higher level of authority.
The third and perhaps most sensationalized allegation involves the installation of massage chairs in Prof. Gyampo’s office. The RYE clarifies that a viral video circulating online, which depicts Prof. Gyampo using a massage chair, was not filmed at his GSA office but rather at a hotel gym in Essipong, Takoradi. They invite anyone doubting this information to verify it by visiting either his office or the hotel in question. This incident highlights the manipulative nature of the misinformation campaign, using out-of-context footage to create a false narrative of extravagance and misuse of public funds.
The RYE emphasizes Prof. Gyampo’s commitment to the principles of efficient governance and cost-cutting measures, aligning with the Reset Agenda of H.E. John Dramani Mahama. They portray him as a dedicated public servant focused on fulfilling his responsibilities with integrity and in the best interest of the nation. The RYE’s statement serves as a robust defense against what they perceive as a coordinated effort to smear Prof. Gyampo’s reputation.
In conclusion, the RYE’s statement meticulously addresses each allegation leveled against Prof. Gyampo, providing counter-narratives and evidence to refute the claims. They portray him as a victim of a deliberate disinformation campaign designed to undermine his leadership at the GSA. By highlighting his reliance on shared vehicles, his non-involvement in staff dismissals, and the misrepresentation of the massage chair video, the RYE seeks to restore public trust in Prof. Gyampo and expose the malicious intent behind the circulated misinformation. They urge the public to discern fact from fiction and recognize the ongoing attempts to discredit a dedicated public servant committed to efficient and ethical governance.
