Afenyo-Markin Vows to Hit Back at Defamers Over GoldBod Row
Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, is set to pursue legal action against individuals he describes as defamers over an escalating dispute surrounding the Bank of Ghana's Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP). The programme, which has come under scrutiny following a reported US$1.7 billion loss in 2025, has seen a war of words between Afenyo-Markin and the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.
Personal Attacks Erupt Over Substantive Questions
Over the past week, Afenyo-Markin has been subjected to what he describes as "all manner of insults and personal attacks" apparently aimed at impugning his character and diverting attention from the substantive questions he has raised about the DGPP and GoldBod's role in the transactions. The Minority Leader has rejected these allegations, stating that "these allegations are entirely false, and I reject them without qualification."
Threat of Legal Action Adds New Dimension
Afenyo-Markin has made clear his intention to pursue legal remedies against those who have made defamatory statements against him. This development adds a new dimension to the heated exchanges surrounding the DGPP, which has been at the center of a political debate over the programme's financial implications. The Minority has been pressing for greater clarity on the financial implications of the transactions, while GoldBod has disputed interpretations that seek to attribute the reported loss directly to the Board.
The Gold Programme Under Scrutiny
The Bank of Ghana's Domestic Gold Purchase Programme has been under scrutiny following the IMF's report of an approximately US$1.7 billion loss in 2025. GoldBod participated in the domestic gold purchasing transactions, making the institution a central part of the ensuing political debate over the programme. The Minority has maintained that the issue warrants parliamentary scrutiny because the funds involved are public resources.
A War of Words Escalates
The war of words between Afenyo-Markin and GoldBod's Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, has seen both sides trading accusations and counter-accusations. Afenyo-Markin has accused GoldBod of making false and defamatory allegations about his motives for questioning the losses incurred under the programme. Gyamfi, on the other hand, has disputed interpretations that seek to attribute the reported loss directly to the Board.
The Future of the Gold Programme Remains Uncertain
The future of the Bank of Ghana's Domestic Gold Purchase Programme remains uncertain as the dispute between Afenyo-Markin and GoldBod continues to escalate. The programme has been at the center of a political debate over the financial implications of the transactions, with the Minority pressing for greater clarity on the issue. As Afenyo-Markin prepares to pursue legal action against those who have made defamatory statements against him, the situation is likely to remain volatile in the coming days.
Source: Joy Online
