Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has dismissed criticism from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin as “personal” and driven by bitterness.
Mr Gyamfi said he was prepared to appear before Parliament and account for the operations of GoldBod if the Minority had specific allegations of wrongdoing against the institution.
His comments follow sustained criticism of GoldBod by Mr Afenyo-Markin and other New Patriotic Party (NPP) figures over the Board’s activities and operations.
Speaking during a Space conversation on X on Sunday, August 9, Mr Gyamfi argued that the criticisms directed at GoldBod had not been backed by specific allegations requiring a direct response.
Mr Gyamfi said he considers the approach of Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, different from that of the Minority Leader.
According to him, Mr Oppong Nkrumah raises substantive concerns without making the issues personal.
“As for Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, I can take some of the things he says seriously because they are not personal. Afenyo Markin is just being personal. He’s a bitter friend, so I can understand. You can see the hatred and the bitterness in his voice,” Mr Gyamfi said.
He challenged Mr Afenyo-Markin to provide concrete evidence of wrongdoing at GoldBod instead of making broad claims about alleged problems within the institution.
The GoldBod CEO also said he was ready to appear before Parliament and respond to any specific allegations concerning the Board.
He specifically challenged parliamentary committees with oversight responsibilities over GoldBod to summon him if they had evidence of financial wrongdoing.
“If he wants me in Parliament, I’m saying they should invite me tomorrow. I am ready. Economic Committee, Finance Committee, Lands and Mines Committee, and they should bring media people and publishers,” he stated.
Mr Gyamfi maintained that Parliament has the necessary mechanisms to scrutinise GoldBod and investigate any allegations concerning the use of public funds.
He further challenged the Public Accounts Committee to invite him if there are claims that money is being siphoned from the institution.
The Minority has raised concerns about aspects of the Board’s activities and has called for greater scrutiny of its operations.
Mr Gyamfi, however, insists that criticism should be based on specific evidence and not personal attacks.
The GoldBod CEO has consequently maintained that he is willing to appear before the relevant parliamentary committees to answer questions and provide clarification on the Board’s operations.
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