Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, has intensified his public clash with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, daring the legislator to take him to court over his description of him as an “extortionist.”
Mr Gyamfi insists he is prepared to defend the allegation in court if Mr Afenyo-Markin considers the statement defamatory.
The latest development adds a new dimension to the growing dispute between the two men, which centres largely on questions surrounding reported losses of about GH¢22 billion, or approximately US$1.7 billion, linked to the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) in 2025.
Mr Afenyo-Markin has raised concerns about the reported losses and demanded greater accountability from GoldBod, while Mr Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of engaging in what he considers a deliberate campaign to discredit the institution.
Speaking on Joy News on Saturday, August 22, Mr Gyamfi said his use of the term “extortion” was not accidental but was based on what he described as circumstances surrounding his exchanges with the Minority Leader.
He questioned why Mr Afenyo-Markin had not challenged the allegation or threatened to pursue legal action against him.
According to the GoldBod CEO, he has frequently engaged his political critics publicly but does not ordinarily resort to such language, suggesting that the current dispute contains issues that are not fully known to the public.
Mr Gyamfi said he was confident in his position and maintained that Mr Afenyo-Markin could not successfully challenge the substance of his allegation.
He also dismissed suggestions that describing the Minority Leader as an extortionist amounted to an insult, insisting that he was merely speaking about what he claimed had occurred between them.
Calls for Public Debate
Beyond the legal challenge, Mr Gyamfi has proposed a joint media appearance with Mr Afenyo-Markin to allow both sides to present and defend their positions before the public.
He suggested that the Minority Leader could be invited for an interview with him present so that the two could openly debate the issues.
Mr Gyamfi maintained that he welcomes criticism and political debate, describing himself as someone comfortable with public scrutiny and argument.
The dispute comes as questions continue to surround the financial performance and reported losses associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, with the Minority Leader pressing GoldBod and the government for explanations.
Mr Gyamfi, however, has rejected the criticisms as part of a broader effort to undermine GoldBod, setting the stage for a potentially wider political and public confrontation over the programme and the management of Ghana’s gold resources.
