Sammy Gyamfi accepts Vanderpuye’s apology, says ‘he meant no ill will’

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has defended NDC National Chairman aspirant Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye following his apology over comments criticising the tone of Mr Gyamfi’s response to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

Mr Gyamfi said Mr Vanderpuye’s remarks should not be interpreted as evidence of hostility towards him, stressing that the former Sports Minister has been supportive of his political career and considers him a senior brother.

“Nii Lante Vanderpuye is one of the people who have been very supportive of my young political career projection. I consider him a senior brother. And I know that he has no ill will towards me,” he said.

Mr Vanderpuye, in an interview with Channel One TV, had criticised Mr Gyamfi’s choice of words in responding to Mr Afenyo-Markin during the Government Accountability Series.

He said he would have adopted a different tone in addressing the Minority Leader.

The comments subsequently attracted criticism from some NDC supporters, who accused Mr Vanderpuye of failing to show solidarity with Mr Gyamfi and appearing to strengthen the opposition’s criticism of GoldBod.

Mr Vanderpuye later apologised to Mr Gyamfi, the NDC leadership and party supporters, explaining that he had not properly communicated his intended position and never sought to undermine the GoldBod CEO or support attacks against him.

‘The man says he is sorry’

Reacting to the development, Mr Gyamfi acknowledged that statements can sometimes be interpreted differently from what the speaker intended.

He disclosed that he subsequently had a private conversation with Mr Vanderpuye, describing it as a “very hearty conversation”, and said the matter had been resolved.

“The man says he is sorry. I believe it ends there,” Mr Gyamfi said in an interview on Joy News.

Mr Gyamfi stressed that the NDC has more important matters to focus on, particularly maintaining internal cohesion and fulfilling its responsibilities in government.

He said the incident should not be allowed to create divisions within the governing party or undermine relationships among its members.