Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi to be more open to criticism of the institution.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the concerns raised by the opposition are about GoldBod’s activities and are not meant to attack Mr Gyamfi personally.
He said neither he nor former Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei Asare has any hatred for the GoldBod CEO despite their political disagreements.
“NPP, nobody hates you. Abena Osei Asare doesn’t hate you. I don’t hate you. We want the best for you,” he said.
His comments come amid growing concerns about GoldBod and allegations circulating on social media involving a man identified as Dominic Bonsu and Mr Gyamfi’s security team.
One of the claims was that GH¢200 million belonging to GoldBod had been taken by the businessman.
Mr Gyamfi has denied the allegations, describing them as false and part of a campaign to spread misinformation about him.
Speaking on X Spaces on Sunday, August 9, he denied any connection between his bodyguards and gold trading or the alleged loss of GoldBod funds.
“None of my bodyguards is involved in gold trading, and none of my bodyguards has stolen or taken Gold Board money,” he said.
Mr Gyamfi also denied that Dominic Bonsu had ever worked as his bodyguard.
He said his understanding was that Bonsu is a licensed gold dealer and an NPP constituency executive in the Manso area of the Ashanti Region.
GoldBod has also rejected the allegations involving the GH¢200 million and denied that Bonsu was a former bodyguard to the CEO.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said Mr Gyamfi should focus on answering questions about GoldBod instead of treating criticism as a personal attack.
He also cautioned the GoldBod CEO against allowing political allies and media personalities to attack people who raise concerns about the institution.
“Some of the people you think are your friends today, that you deploy to attack us merely for questioning certain actions at GoldBod may not be there for you tomorrow,” he said.
The Minority Leader urged Mr Gyamfi to take his time to consider the concerns raised by the opposition and respond to them.
“So, take it easy. When we raise issues, take your time and respond. Don’t come and attack us. Don’t engage others to attack us because we criticise GoldBod,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also reminded Mr Gyamfi of his strong criticism of governments when the NDC was in opposition.
“You were very loud when you were in opposition. You raised critical issues. You were the loudest in opposition,” he said.
He said Mr Gyamfi’s experience in opposition should make him more willing to listen to criticism now that he holds public office.
“I am sure you should have a certain level of tolerance to even listen to the issues we raise,” he added.
The Minority Leader further argued that some of the concerns about GoldBod are not only coming from the opposition.
He claimed that some of the issues have also been raised in reports by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other credible institutions.
“Most of the issues you raise are issues that have been reported by IMF, by institutions that are credible,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin stressed that the opposition is focused on GoldBod’s activities and not Mr Gyamfi as an individual.
“We are not after your person. We are after the excesses in the activities at your institution,” he said.
He therefore urged the GoldBod CEO not to take the disagreements personally.
“So please, don’t take it personally. Let’s work together, let’s understand the issues,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.
He also warned that some of the concerns being raised today could become problems for Mr Gyamfi in the future.
“When we raise them, take note, because one day, some of these things may come back and haunt you,” he cautioned.
