Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has declined to confirm whether he will pursue legal action against Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, over allegations made against him.
Mr Afenyo-Markin had earlier indicated in a Facebook post that he would seek legal remedies over what he described as defamatory allegations, including claims that he was an “extortionist”.
However, speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday, August 23, he stopped short of confirming whether he would take Mr Gyamfi to court, saying he would not allow the controversy to distract him from his responsibilities as Minority Leader.
“I have made certain statements. I would rely on them without more. Don’t rush. In the Bible, Jesus was accused; wild allegations. He kept quiet and watched them. He could have done anything,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said he was conscious of the expectations associated with his position and would not allow the allegations to provoke an emotional response.
“The people of Ghana expect a certain level of maturity from me,” he said, adding that he was mindful of the conduct expected of him as a leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament.
He also suggested that the controversy could divert attention from the Minority’s concerns about the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) and reported losses associated with it.
“There is always a bait in politics, and don’t underestimate it. Opponents also have a strategy,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin maintained that the Minority’s concerns over the gold purchase programme were based on what he described as a national interest issue rather than an attempt to target individuals.
“This is an important national issue. It is not a partisan call. It is a patriotic call being made by a vigilant minority, however few our numbers,” he said.
He said the Minority had filed a motion seeking a parliamentary inquiry into the reported losses and would continue to pursue the matter when Parliament resumes on Monday, August 24.
“We want to focus. We promised the people of Ghana that we would file a motion; we have filed that motion,” he said.
According to Mr Afenyo-Markin, he hopes Parliament will admit the motion and establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter during the parliamentary break, with the aim of completing its work before consideration of the 2027 Budget.
“Tomorrow we are resuming, we pray that the motion will be admitted. We argue, set up the ad hoc committee so that within the period of break, at least there will be hearing so that by October before we read the 2027 budget,” he said.
He also called for the proceedings to be broadcast live to allow the public to follow the committee’s work.
“We expect that once the motion is carried, there will be a full public hearing of these GoldBod losses,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin further acknowledged that political leaders can face attacks and criticism, citing the experience of current Majority Leader and former Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who faced criminal proceedings while serving in opposition.
“In any event, you remember, even my good friend, Ato Forson, was facing charges in court, and NDC appointed him minority leader,” he said.
He said he remained committed to carrying out the mandate given to him by the NPP and would continue scrutinising the government despite the controversy.
“So, as for this game, I want to assure the party that the mandate they gave me, God willing, that mandate will be discharged,” he said.