Even Jesus Was Accused – Afenyo-Markin Softens Legal Threat Against Sammy Gyamfi

Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, appears to have adopted a more restrained position over his earlier threat to pursue legal action against Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, following allegations made against him.

Mr Afenyo-Markin had earlier indicated in a Facebook post that he would seek legal remedies over what he described as defamatory attacks, including allegations portraying him as an “extortionist”.

However, less than 24 hours after that warning, the Effutu Member of Parliament declined to definitively state that he would take Mr Gyamfi to court.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday evening, August 23, Mr Afenyo-Markin said he would rely on statements he had already made and urged the public not to rush him into taking further action.

“I have made certain statements. I would rely on them without more. Don’t rush. In the Bible, Jesus was accused of wild allegations. He kept quiet and watched them. He could have done anything,” he said.

According to the Minority Leader, his position as a senior political figure requires him to exercise restraint and avoid responding emotionally to attacks.

He said Ghanaians expected a certain level of maturity from him, particularly because of the responsibilities attached to his office and his leadership role within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“But you see, when you are dealing with situations, the people of Ghana expect a certain level of maturity from me. The people of Ghana see that this is an accomplished businessman. He’s been in the space for some time. He’s leading a group. The tradition of the party NPP that I lead expects a certain level of conduct,” he stated.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said he would not allow himself to be distracted by what he believes could be a deliberate political strategy to shift attention away from the substantive questions surrounding the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) and reported losses linked to the initiative.

“So if I were carried away with emotions, I would fail. It’s not an emotional game. It’s not a game where somebody attacks you, and you should also react. No, you won’t get it,” he said.

“There is always bait in politics, and don’t underestimate it. Opponents also have a strategy,” he added.

The Minority Leader further suggested that the allegations against him could be part of an attempt to divert public attention from the issues the Minority Caucus has raised about the government’s gold purchase programme and GoldBod’s involvement in the transactions.

“I was a majority leader. I know how government operates. I know how government can divert attention. So I’ve been there. Because the government must hold itself together, so it can be thrown in today’s social media. Let’s divert attention. Let’s stain the man,” he explained.

Afenyo-Markin says political attacks come with the job

Mr Afenyo-Markin also placed the controversy within the broader realities of opposition politics, saying he would not be the first Minority Leader to face intense political pressure or personal attacks.

He cited the experience of current Majority Leader and former Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who faced criminal proceedings while serving in opposition.

“In opposition, like I said, was Ato Forson not in court? Was his not worse than my situation? Do you get what I mean?” he asked.

Despite the attacks, Mr Afenyo-Markin said he remained committed to the mandate given to him by the NPP and would continue to scrutinise the government.

“So, as for this game, I want to assure the party that the mandate they gave me, God willing, that mandate will be discharged. We will work hard. The people of Ghana expect us to do nothing less. They expect us as a minority to be forthright, to work hard, to hold the feet of government to the fire, we will do that,” he said.

He acknowledged that political opponents had the right to disagree with him and criticise his actions but maintained that such criticism should not cross the line into what he described as excessive or unacceptable language.

“You know, we are in a political environment; people are free to oppose or disagree. But what the political environment cannot tolerate is the excesses there too. I have become aware of certain unacceptable language being put out there,” he stated.

Mr Afenyo-Markin added that he and members of the Minority Caucus had already taken steps in response to the allegations but would not allow the controversy to distract them from their parliamentary duties.

“I believe that I’ve taken appropriate steps together with my colleagues in the caucus, and we don’t want to fall into any bait of diversion,” he said.

He insisted that the Minority’s concerns about the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme were not simply partisan attacks but were intended to draw attention to an issue of national importance.

“This is an important national issue. It is not a partisan call. It is a patriotic call being made by a vigilant minority, however few our numbers,” he said.

Minority pushes ahead with GoldBod losses inquiry

Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority Caucus would continue with its plans to seek a parliamentary inquiry into the reported losses associated with the gold purchase programme.

“We want to focus. We promised the people of Ghana that we would file a motion; we have filed that motion,” he stated.

He said he was prepared for the political consequences of his position, including personal attacks, and was not surprised by the pressure accompanying his role as Minority Leader.

“Look, I won’t be the first minority leader to suffer attacks,” he said.

He recounted a conversation with a colleague about the challenges faced by opposition leaders in other countries, noting that some minority leaders had faced arrest, imprisonment or investigations by state institutions.

“And I said, oh, sir, in other jurisdictions, minority leaders have been arrested. They are in jail. In other jurisdictions, minority leaders are made to report to investigative agencies all the time,” he recounted.

Mr Afenyo-Markin again referred to Dr Ato Forson’s experience while serving as Minority Leader under the previous administration.

“In any event, you remember, even my good friend, Ato Forson, was facing charges in court, and NDC appointed him minority leader. He was attending court two times, three times,” he said.

He stressed that he was fully aware of the responsibilities and pressures associated with his position when he accepted the role.

“So, I’m very clear on my mind. The very day I took this job, I knew the weight of it. Everything is on me. I’m ready to live up to the task. I rely on my God, and I thank the party for the support,” he stated.

Motion to be considered as Parliament resumes

Mr Afenyo-Markin said his immediate focus was on securing parliamentary approval for the Minority’s motion seeking an inquiry into the reported GoldBod losses.

Parliament was scheduled to resume on Monday, August 24, and he expressed hope that the motion would be admitted and subsequently referred to an ad hoc committee.

“All other things that will come, we will deal with it. Tomorrow we are resuming; we pray that the motion will be admitted. We argue, set up the ad hoc committee so that within the period of break, at least there will be a hearing so that by October before we read the 2027 budget,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the committee would complete its work before consideration of the 2027 Budget, allowing its findings to inform the national debate.

“I hope by that time the report will be ready, and once it is ready, the good people of Ghana will see,” he added.

The Minority Leader also called for the proceedings of the proposed inquiry to be broadcast live, saying the public should have direct access to the committee’s hearings.

“But I pray for a live broadcast of the hearing. We expect that once the motion is carried, there will be a full public hearing of these GoldBod losses,” he stated.

Mr Afenyo-Markin’s latest comments represent a notable shift from his earlier declaration that he would pursue legal remedies over the allegations made against him.

Rather than committing himself to court action, he has now emphasised restraint, political maturity and a determination not to be distracted from the Minority’s broader scrutiny of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

For now, his attention appears to be firmly focused on Parliament and the proposed inquiry into the reported GoldBod losses, with the Minority Leader signalling that any further response to the allegations will not be allowed to overshadow what he considers a matter of national interest.