Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, appears to have softened his earlier threat to pursue legal action against Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, over allegations he considers defamatory.
Mr Afenyo-Markin had earlier indicated in a Facebook post that he would seek legal remedies over comments made against him, including allegations portraying him as an “extortionist.”
However, speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday, August 23, the Effutu MP declined to commit himself to taking the GoldBod CEO to court.
Instead, he invoked the biblical example of Jesus Christ, who, according to him, remained silent despite being subjected to accusations.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said he was mindful of the expectations placed on him as Minority Leader and would not allow emotions to dictate his response to the controversy.
He stressed that he did not want to be drawn into what he described as a political strategy aimed at diverting public attention from substantive concerns surrounding the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) and GoldBod’s role in the transactions.
According to him, political opponents could use personal attacks as a strategy to shift attention away from issues requiring public scrutiny.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also placed the controversy within the broader political pressures associated with serving as Minority Leader, citing the experience of current Majority Leader and former Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who faced criminal proceedings while in opposition.
He said he would continue to fulfil the mandate given to him by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and intensify scrutiny of the government despite the attacks.
The Minority Leader acknowledged that political opponents were entitled to disagree with him but condemned what he described as excessive and unacceptable language.
He said he and members of the Minority Caucus had already taken appropriate steps regarding the comments but would not allow the controversy to distract them from their parliamentary responsibilities.
Focus remains on GoldBod losses
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority Caucus would remain focused on its planned parliamentary inquiry into reported losses associated with the gold purchase programme.
He said the Minority had already filed a motion seeking an inquiry and expressed hope that Parliament would admit the motion when the House resumes sitting.
According to him, the Minority wants an ad hoc committee established to investigate the matter and hold public hearings.
He also called for the proceedings of the proposed inquiry to be broadcast live to allow Ghanaians to follow the proceedings.
Mr Afenyo-Markin expressed hope that the committee would complete its work before consideration of the 2027 Budget, allowing its findings to inform discussions on the government’s financial management.
He maintained that the concerns raised by the Minority over the DGPP and alleged GoldBod losses were matters of national interest rather than partisan political attacks.
The latest comments represent a more restrained position from the Minority Leader, who had earlier threatened legal action over the allegations against him. He now appears more focused on parliamentary scrutiny of the GoldBod transactions while declining to commit himself to pursuing the matter in court.
