Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, has said that while Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) continue to fail to account for the GH¢22 billion loss, Ghanaians in illegal mining communities are paying with their health.
According to Afenyo-Markin, Ghanaians in illegal mining communities are paying with their kidneys and lungs for the extensive pollution caused by illegal miners.
Speaking during Parliament’s emergency sitting on Monday, August 24, Afenyo-Markin stated, “As we speak, Ghanaians in mining communities across this country continue to suffer kidney failure, lung failure, and other grave conditions at alarming rates because of the extensive pollution that illegal mining has visited upon our water bodies and our air”.
“This has become nothing short of a widespread epidemic, one this government appears to have neither the clue nor the courage to confront.”
The Minority leader added, “So while Gold Board cannot account for 1.7 billion, an equivalent of 22 billion Ghanaian cedis, Ghanaians in our mining communities are paying with their kidneys, their lungs, and in other cases their lives”.
“This House owes them an answer too.”
Meanwhile, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has revealed he will avail himself to every investigation to clear his name in extortion allegations made against him.
Addressing Parliament on Monday, August 24, the Minority Leader committed to denying the allegations, revealing that he has taken legal action against the GoldBod CEO, who accused him of extortion.
“I have chosen to take the high moral ground by submitting myself to the processes of the law. I have accordingly caused writs to be filed at the Achimota Circuit Court. I have every confidence that in the fullness of time, the court will make the appropriate determination on these matters.
“I also await with bated breath, that the man or the men who made the allegation will have the courage to report the matter to the police or the OSP or any investigation agency in this country and I expect that if they muster the courage to report that I have extorted from them and I am invited, I shall submit myself to every investigation so that eventually my name is cleared.”
Afenyo-Markin stated, “I have accordingly caused writs to be filed in Suit Number GT/1029/2026, titled Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin versus Samuel Adu Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited at the Accra High Court, and Suit Number GR/ACH/CC/C5/02/2026, titled Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin versus Eric Adjei and Peace FM at the Achimota Circuit Court”.
“I have every confidence that in the fullness of time the court will make the appropriate determination,” he added.
The legal action follows weeks of public exchanges between the Minority Leader and the GoldBod CEO over the financial performance of the DGPP.
@ghnow_ Afenyo-Markin sues Sammy Gyamfi over extortion allegations #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – Official M/C_Foreigner
@ghnow_ Hon. Abdul Aziz Sununu challenges the Bank of Ghana to explain the profitability of its gold trading operations, asking, “You can’t trade gold and run at a loss. What was the profit margin?” #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
