GoldBod Row: "I Won’t Back Down" - Afenyo-Markin Vows To Keep Defending NPP Despite Attacks

Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says he will continue to speak up for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) despite facing insults and criticism over his comments on the alleged losses at the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).

The standoff stems from claims by the Minority that GoldBod lost GH¢22 billion, about US$1.7 billion, in its 2025 operations. GoldBod CEO, Sammy Gyamfi, has accused Mr. Afenyo-Markin of running a smear campaign instead of seeking real accountability.

In an interview, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said he was unbothered by the personal attacks.

“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... I won’t question you. I won’t say anything. I won’t sue you,” he said.

He added that public service runs in his family and he is ready to take on the heat.

“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.

The Effutu MP insisted the Minority’s figures were factual and urged government to own up.

“What we are telling the people of Ghana about these losses is the truth. Nothing more, nothing less,” he said.

“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.”

Despite the attacks, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said he remains committed to his role and will treat the CEO’s office with respect.

“I’m Minority Leader. I will do my work. But in so doing, I have due regard for your office,” he noted.

He said politics for him is guided by respect, friendship and “a code of brotherhood”, adding that past Minority Leaders like J.H. Mensah and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu went through similar pressure.

“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.

“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.”