Anti-corruption campaigner Vitus Azeem has called for the growing public exchanges involving GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to move away from personalities and focus on the substantive issues at stake.
According to Azeem, the controversy appears to be becoming increasingly personal, potentially diverting public attention from the more important questions that require answers.

He argued that the focus should be on establishing whether the alleged losses being discussed actually occurred, what caused them, who may be responsible and what measures can be introduced to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Azeem further called for the issues between Afenyo-Markin and Gyamfi to be properly investigated, particularly the allegations of extortion, to establish whether there is evidence to support them.

He also questioned whether the Minority Leader would pursue the matter further and whether the GoldBod CEO would take steps to clear his name.
For Azeem, the controversy should ultimately be about accountability, transparency and protecting the public interest rather than personal attacks.

Cape Coast Mayor George Justice Arthur has urged Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to retract his allegations against GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi and publicly apologise for what he described as an unjustified attack.

Speaking on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, the Mayor insisted, leaders of Parliament play a pivotal role in Ghana’s legislative process and must ensure that their actions reflect the statesmanship expected of them.
He questioned whether Afenyo-Markin adequately cross-checked his facts before concluding that Sammy Gyamfi had incurred a loss of about $1.7 million, and also challenged the Minority Leader to explain whether he conducted the necessary due diligence as a lawyer before making what he described as unwarranted allegations against the GoldBod CEO.

The Mayor further questioned how Afenyo-Markin could have prejudged Sammy Gyamfi by determining his bail conditions.
George Justice Arthur said several reputable statesmen had condemned Afenyo-Markin’s utterances and called on him to retract the allegations after it became clear, in his view, that he had got his facts wrong.

He also called on the Minority Leader to come out publicly and render an apology to Sammy Gyamfi and the state for what he described as getting his “spelling wrong.”
The Cape Coast Mayor further questioned why Afenyo-Markin appeared to reverse his position after meeting Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“I would advise him to swallow his pride and come out because he holds a big office,” the Mayor said, stressing the need for political leaders to demonstrate humility and accountability.

The comments come amid an ongoing public dispute over allegations concerning GoldBod and claims of losses associated with its operations. Recent reports indicate that Afenyo-Markin has continued to demand answers over disputed GoldBod loss claims, while Sammy Gyamfi has challenged him to summon him before Parliament.

New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Vice Chairman hopeful Richard Ahiagbah has called for a fundamental restructuring of the party to make it more responsive to the needs and contributions of its grassroots supporters.

In an exclusive interview with Kessben Digital, Ahiagbah disclosed, although the NPP has traditionally been a strong political force, there is a growing need to reconnect the party with its grassroots base and ensure that members directly benefit from their efforts and contributions.
“Our party is not working for the grassroots, but we have a reform idea to make sure the party works for the grassroots,” he stated.

He argued that while politicians frequently speak about the importance of grassroots members, little is done to ensure that the party truly operates as a grassroots organisation.
“We should let the party run from bottom-up,” Ahiagbah stressed.

He further attributed part of the NPP’s poor performance in the 2024 elections to disappointment among grassroots supporters, noting that many party members did not turn out to vote because of their dissatisfaction with the party’s eight years in government.
Ahiagbah also argued that although the NPP relies heavily on its grassroots to win elections, grassroots members are often left out when it comes to benefiting from political power.
“The party wins elections at the grassroots, but when victory comes, the grassroots are hardly affected or influenced by the spoils of power,” he said.

As part of his proposed reforms, Ahiagbah cited Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s promise to appoint 10 people from every constituency when he wins the presidency as an example of an approach that could create opportunities at the grassroots.

He proposed that constituencies should have a greater say in determining who represents them in such opportunities.
Ahiagbah urged NPP members to unite behind efforts to establish what he described as a “true grassroots agenda” capable of helping the party win future elections and transform its internal structures.

He ultimately appealed to delegates to carefully assess what each candidate brings to the table as they prepare to elect the party’s next leadership.
“Everybody is important and has the content, but it is up to the delegates to know what Ahiagbah brings to bear when voted as First National Vice Chairman,” he said.

By Maurice Otoo

Former Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo, Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has rendered an unreserved apology to Sammy Gyamfi and the leadership and members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over comments he made on Citi TV.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Vanderpuye said he had listened to his own presentation and acknowledged that he “did not communicate my intended position in the manner I should have.”

“Never My Intention To Undermine Sammy Gyamfi”
The former Sports Minister stated categorically that it was never his intention to undermine or condemn Sammy Gyamfi, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the GoldBod, or to lend support to attacks being directed at him and the institution by the opposition.

“Let me state clearly and without ambiguity that it was never my intention to undermine or condemn our comrade, Sammy Gyamfi, or to lend support to the attacks being directed at him and the GoldBod by the opposition. My record, my convictions and my commitment to the NDC would never permit me to knowingly strengthen the hands of our political opponents against one of our own,” he said.

Vanderpuye explained that his intention during the discussion was to defend the work of GoldBod and the efforts of Sammy Gyamfi, but in reacting to what he described as sustained propaganda, he expressed himself in a way that “created a completely different impression.”

“For that error of judgement and communication, I am sincerely sorry,” he stated.

Apology To Grassroots
He also apologized directly to Sammy Gyamfi, describing him as a “dedicated member of our party who has served the NDC with courage and commitment” and who deserves the support of all as he carries out one of the most important national responsibilities entrusted to him.

“I particularly apologise to Sammy Gyamfi… Whatever observations I may have had should never have been expressed in a manner capable of being interpreted as validating the attacks of our political opponents against him,” he noted.

He extended his apology to the leadership, members and particularly the grassroots of the NDC who were hurt or disappointed by his comments, acknowledging that at a time when party comrades are subjected to politically motivated attacks, members expect solidarity, sound judgement and loyalty.

Vanderpuye reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to the NDC, stating: “The NDC is my political home, and my loyalty and commitment to its cause remain unwavering.”

Nii Lante Vanderpuye

The Supreme Court has dismissed an interlocutory injunction application filed by Ofoase-Ayirebi Member of Parliament, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, seeking to prevent the Chief Justice from issuing warrants for selected High Court judges to hear criminal cases during the legal vacation.

The decision means the warrants issued by the Chief Justice remain valid, allowing the affected judges to continue sitting and determining criminal matters during the legal vacation.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Pwamang explained that although the Supreme Court has the authority to restrain an act by a public officer through an injunction, an applicant must first establish that the substantive case has a strong prospect of succeeding.

According to the court, until that threshold is met, there would be no basis to proceed to consider the other requirements for granting an interlocutory injunction.

The court also examined Mr Oppong Nkrumah’s reliance on Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides for equality and protection against discrimination.

The Supreme Court found no evidence showing that the Chief Justice’s directive was discriminatory.

It noted that the warrants, on their face, instructed the selected judges to deal with cases already pending before their respective courts. The court further observed that there was no allegation or evidence that the decision to allow the judges to sit was based on the colour, gender or religion of any accused person or witness.

The court also rejected the argument that the Chief Justice’s decision to exercise his discretion and direct certain judges to sit during the legal vacation constituted discrimination.

On the applicant’s reliance on C.I. 47, the Supreme Court held that the argument was misplaced. It explained that the instrument applies to civil proceedings, whereas the application before the court concerned criminal cases.

The dismissal therefore leaves the Chief Justice’s warrants authorising the designated High Court judges to hear criminal matters during the legal vacation intact.