Afenyo-Markin vows to keep challenging government over GoldBod losses despite attacks

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has vowed to continue challenging the government over reported losses at the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), despite criticism and personal attacks over the issue.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker said he remained convinced that the Minority’s concerns about the reported GH¢22bn ($1.7bn) losses were based on facts and should be addressed by the government.

His comments come amid a growing dispute between the Minority and GoldBod chief executive Sammy Gyamfi over the institution’s reported financial performance in 2025.

Mr Gyamfi has accused Mr Afenyo-Markin of mounting a smear campaign against GoldBod rather than pursuing genuine public accountability.

But speaking to Metro TV, Mr Afenyo-Markin dismissed the attacks against him and said they would not deter him from carrying out his duties as Minority Leader.

“What we are telling the people of Ghana about these losses is the truth. Nothing more, nothing less,” he said.

He said he was prepared to withstand criticism and insults because of his commitment to the NPP and his responsibilities in Parliament.

“If today you are insulting Afenyo-Markin... I won’t question you. I won’t say anything. I won’t sue you,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin also challenged the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to acknowledge what he described as policy failures that contributed to the reported losses.

He called for the government to engage the Minority on how the situation could be addressed.

“We expect the NDC to be reasonable and eat humble pie, and admit that, indeed, policy failures resulted in this. So that perhaps we can look at the way forward,” he said.

GoldBod dispute

The disagreement centres on claims that GoldBod incurred losses of GH¢22bn, equivalent to about $1.7bn, from its operations in 2025.

GoldBod chief executive Sammy Gyamfi has rejected the characterisation of the figure as a loss and has strongly criticised the Minority’s handling of the issue.

The dispute has since become a wider political confrontation, with both sides defending their interpretation of GoldBod’s financial position.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said the political disagreement should not destroy mutual respect between opposing sides.

“I’m Minority Leader. I will do my work. But in so doing, I have due regard for your office,” he said.

He described the Minority Leader’s position as demanding and at times lonely, saying whoever occupies the role must be prepared to take difficult positions.

“Minority Leader is not an easy job; sometimes you can be lonely. When everything is going round, round, round, you have to do the heavy lifting,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin also referred to previous Minority Leaders, including JH Mensah and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, saying they had faced similar challenges while serving in opposition.

He said his commitment to the NPP was rooted in his family’s history with the party and that he was prepared to endure criticism as part of his political responsibilities.

“My stepfather fought for the party. My mom fought for the party. My daddy suffered for the party. And it’s my turn. I will fight for the party with a clear mind. And I will not shake,” he said.

He pledged to continue pursuing the GoldBod issue despite the attacks.

“To be attacked, I will stay there, deal with the issues, and pursue it. However lonely I may become, I am doing this for the party, and the right thing will be done,” he said.