Manasseh Azure Awuni, an Investigative journalist, has weighed in on the ongoing public banter between Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) CEO Sammy Gyamfi.
According to Manasseh Azure Awuni, the personal attacks between Sammy Gyamfi and Afenyo-Markin and the malicious allegations of extortion have distorted the primary goal of ensuring accountability.
He argued that whether the losses were incurred by GoldBod or the Bank of Ghana, ensuring accountability and preventing similar losses in the future should be the main focus.
In a Facebook post, Manasseh Azure wrote, “In the statement denying unnamed allegations and remaining silent on the person making the allegations, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said he raised questions about “the losses incurred under the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and the role of GoldBod in those transactions.”
The position that the losses were incurred by GoldBod is shifting. Now they are Bank of Ghana losses, and GoldBod played a role in the transaction. That’s what my limited understanding of the English Language teaches me from Afenyo Markin’s statement quoted above.
Does this shift not weaken what could otherwise have been a legitimate demand for answers from those who caused the losses? And why is the Bank of Ghana not missing in the quest for accountability?
Before Goldbod was formed, trading was ongoing, and the Bank of Ghana was incurring losses. The current loss is bigger than before, and we should demand answers and find ways to forestall or minimise future losses. Whether the loss was caused by GoldBod or the Bank of Ghana should concern us.
However, the approach adopted by those asking the questions seems to have weakened the arm of accountability.
As it stands, whatever legitimate questions and critical discussions people were having on the matter have been marred. The matter has been reduced to Sammy Gyamfi and GoldBod. And now allegations of extortion against Afenyo-Markin”.
His comments come on the heels of Sammy Gyamfi, who defended his decision to describe Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin as an “extortionist”.
According to Sammy Gyamfi, his comment was made based on underlying issues between him and Afenyo-Markin which are not known to the public.
Sammy Gyamfi on Joy News’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, August 22, 2026, disclosed that he had never used the term against any of his other critics, arguing that his choice of words was based on specific matters involving Afenyo-Markin.
Sammy Gyamfi on Newsfile stated, “You see, my brother, 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 Newsfile 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 say anything about that, or challenge me, or threaten to sue? So, the NPP people talking; there are things you don’t know,” he added.
According to Sammy Gyamfi, Afenyo-Markin had not publicly rebutted the allegation because he knows the claim to be true, adding that the absence of a legal challenge or direct response from the Effutu MP was significant.
“I will not just… Me, I’m a consummate democrat. I eat and drink debates. 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,” he stated.
“Tell him that you want to be his lawyer so that he sues Sammy Gyamfi to substantiate that claim. Tell him. Or tell him that you will give him an interview here and Sammy Gyamfi will come, and that he should dare Sammy Gyamfi,” he said.
“That is not an insult. I’m speaking about what has happened, and he knows.” Gyamfi concluded.
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