The Minority Caucus in Parliament has reaffirmed its unwavering support for its leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, following allegations of extortion and blackmail levelled against him by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader has in recent weeks led calls for greater accountability over the financial implications of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP), particularly an alleged GH¢22 billion loss referenced in the International Monetary Fund’s 2025 report.
Mr Afenyo-Markin has maintained that GoldBod cannot be completely divorced from the reported loss, arguing that the institution’s operations contributed significantly to the financial outcome captured in the IMF report.
The dispute intensified after Mr Gyamfi, speaking during the Government Accountability Series, described the Minority Leader’s criticisms as an attack on his purpose and referred to comments made by Mr Afenyo-Markin regarding possible jail terms for officials found culpable of wrongdoing.
Mr Gyamfi subsequently alleged that the criticisms were motivated by unmet expectations and described the Minority Leader as an “extortionist and a blackmailer”.
The remarks have triggered public debate, with political actors and civil society organisations calling for the allegations to be properly investigated.
Speaking on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia programme on Monday, August 24, Ofoase-Ayirebi MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the allegations would not distract the Minority from its demand for accountability.
“Nobody should get distracted. Ghana has suffered a GH¢22 billion loss, and we need to inquire into it, not to be locked down in a debate about whose table it sits on,” he said.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah, who previously raised questions about the operations of GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana, said attempts to shift attention from the financial concerns by attacking individuals would not succeed.
“Again, these issues, once you raise them, then they start to make allegations against your person,” he added.
He recalled that after the Bank of Ghana’s accounts were published, he raised concerns about losses associated with the programme and subsequently came under criticism.
According to him, former Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei-Asare also faced attacks after calling for a forensic audit into GoldBod’s operations, particularly in relation to the alleged GH¢22 billion loss.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah said similar attacks had now been directed at Mr Afenyo-Markin, but insisted that the Minority remained united behind its leader.
“Afenyo-Markin has also been attacked with unprintable descriptions. I want to make the point that we are firmly behind the leader in pursuing an inquiry into this GH¢22 billion loss. We are solidly behind the leader,” he said.
He cautioned against allowing the allegations against individual Minority members to overshadow the substantive financial questions surrounding the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
“Nobody should believe that you can attack the leader and it will take our eyes off the GH¢22 billion loss,” he said.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah further stressed that neither attacks against Mr Afenyo-Markin, himself nor Ms Osei-Asare would cause the Minority to abandon its demand for an inquiry.
“Nobody should be under the apprehension that you can attack the leader, me, or Abena, and the allegations would now take centre stage thereby losing the substance of the argument,” he said.
He reiterated that the Minority’s primary focus remained establishing the facts surrounding the reported loss and ensuring accountability in the management of public resources.
“That is where the focus must be,” Mr Oppong Nkrumah said.
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