The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has challenged Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to sue him over his description of the legislator as an “extortionist.”
Mr Gyamfi said he was prepared to defend the allegation in court and urged Mr Afenyo-Markin to take legal action if he believed the statement was defamatory.
The comments come amid an escalating dispute between the two over reported losses of GH¢22 billion, equivalent to about US$1.7 billion, associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) in 2025. Mr Afenyo-Markin has questioned the reported losses and demanded accountability from GoldBod.
Mr Gyamfi, however, has accused the Minority Leader of pursuing what he described as a smear campaign against the institution.
During the government’s Accountability Series, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo-Markin’s actions as “a desperate smear campaign by persons who have specialised in sophistry and political blackmail in pursuit of selfish ends.”
“These are devious extortionists who will come at you with lies to tarnish your reputation in the hope that you will fold and settle for what they call compulsory arbitration and oil their palms,” he said.
Speaking in an interview on Joy
News on Saturday, August 22, Mr Gyamfi said his use of the term “extortion” was based on circumstances surrounding his exchanges with the Minority Leader.
He argued that Mr Afenyo-Markin had not challenged the allegation or threatened to take legal action against him.
“There are many underlying issues between Afenyo-Markin and me that you don’t know and those watching don’t know. I have appeared on the News File too many times. Perhaps in this country, I have held more press conferences on political issues than anybody.
“Have you ever heard me use the word extortion against any of my critics? Have you ever heard me? Why would I use this word now? And why have you not heard Afenyo-Markin say anything about that or challenge me or threaten to sue? So the NPP people talking, there are things you don’t know. I’m a consummate Democrat. I eat and drink debates.
He added, “I’m not worried if you criticise him. [He’s extortionist] Yes. And that is why he cannot comment on that or even challenge me. He cannot. Because he knows that what I said is true. So there are many things that you may not have the benefit of.”
Mr Gyamfi also proposed a joint media appearance with the Minority Leader to allow both sides to defend their respective positions.
“Or tell him that you’ll give him an interview here and Sammy Gyamfi will come and that you should dare Sammy Gyamfi,” he said.
He maintained that his comments were not intended as an insult but reflected what he described as the facts surrounding the dispute.
“That is not an insult. I’m speaking about what has happened, and he knows,” Mr Gyamfi said.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
