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Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has vowed to continue defending the New Patriotic Party (NPP) despite mounting criticism and personal attacks over his position on reported losses linked to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
Mr Afenyo-Markin said he would not be distracted by insults directed at him as he pursues what he believes is the truth about the reported GH¢22 billion, equivalent to about US$1.7 billion, losses associated with GoldBod’s operations in 2025.
The comments follow a growing dispute between the Minority and GoldBod Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, over the reported losses.
Mr Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of pursuing a smear campaign against GoldBod rather than engaging in genuine public accountability, while Mr Afenyo-Markin maintains that the Minority’s concerns are based on facts.
‘I will fight for the party’
Speaking to Metro TV, Mr Afenyo-Markin said he was unfazed by the criticism and would remain focused on his responsibilities as Minority Leader.
“If today you are insulting Afenyo-Markin, using unprintable words on my person, hiring social media people, people going to sit at studios of FM stations, TV stations, use vulgar language, the very thing that if you give them a schnapp, a Bible, a Quran, to swear whether it is true, they cannot. They are saying it for politics. I won’t question you. I won’t say anything. I won’t sue you,” he said.
He said his family had made sacrifices for the NPP and Ghana and that he was prepared to endure similar challenges in the course of his political duties.
“My stepfather fought for the party. My mom fought for the party. My daddy suffered for the party. And it’s my turn. I will fight for the party with a clear mind. And I will not shake,” he stated.
‘What we are telling Ghanaians is the truth’
Mr Afenyo-Markin insisted that the Minority’s position on the GoldBod controversy was grounded in facts.
“What we are telling the people of Ghana about these losses is the truth. Nothing more, nothing less,” he said.
He called on the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to acknowledge what he described as policy failures that contributed to the reported losses and engage the Minority on measures to address the situation.
“We expect the NDC to be reasonable and eat humble pie, and admit that, indeed, policy failures resulted in this. So that perhaps we can look at the way forward,” he said.
‘I will do my work’
The Minority Leader also said the attacks would not prevent him from carrying out his parliamentary responsibilities.
“I’m Minority Leader. I will do my work. But in so doing, I have due regard to your office,” he said, stressing that political disagreements should not erode mutual respect.
He said his approach to politics was guided by respect for institutions, friendship and what he described as a code of brotherhood.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also referenced former Minority Leaders J.H. Mensah and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, saying they faced similar challenges while serving in opposition.
He acknowledged that the position of Minority Leader could be demanding and isolating because of the responsibilities associated with it.
“Minority Leader is not an easy job; sometimes you can be lonely. When everything is going round, round, round, you have to do the heavy lifting,” he said.
Despite the criticism, Mr Afenyo-Markin vowed to continue pursuing the GoldBod issue.
“To be attacked, I will stay there, deal with the issues, and pursue it. However lonely I may become, I am doing this for the party, and the right thing will be done,” he stated.