Afenyo-Markin Fires Warning Shot: Threatens Lawsuit Over Defamatory At

Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has threatened to take legal action against what he describes as defamatory attacks made against him. The escalating dispute is centered on the Bank of Ghana's Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP), which has come under scrutiny following an IMF report of an approximately US$1.7 billion loss in 2025.

Afenyo-Markin's statement comes amid a war of words between him and GoldBod Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi. The Minority Leader has been pressing for greater clarity on the financial implications of the transactions, while GoldBod has disputed interpretations that seek to attribute the reported loss directly to the Board.

Defamatory Allegations

Afenyo-Markin has rejected allegations of personal attacks and false statements made against him. In a statement, he noted that over the past week, "all manner of insults and personal attacks have been directed at me, apparently in an attempt to impugn my character and divert attention from the substantive questions I have raised." The Minority Leader stated that these allegations have gone beyond criticism of his position to allegations concerning his motives for questioning the reported losses.

Threat of Legal Action

Afenyo-Markin has made clear his intention to pursue legal remedies against the defamatory statements made against him personally. "On the defamatory statements made against me personally, I intend to pursue the appropriate legal remedies," he stated. The threat of legal action adds a new dimension to the increasingly heated exchanges surrounding the DGPP.

The Substantive Question

Afenyo-Markin has maintained that the issue warrants parliamentary scrutiny because the funds involved are public resources. He has been pressing for greater clarity on the financial implications of the transactions, while GoldBod has disputed interpretations that seek to attribute the reported loss directly to the Board. The Minority Leader's latest statement seeks to separate the personal dispute from the substantive questions surrounding the gold programme.

The GoldBod participated in the domestic gold purchasing transactions, making the institution a central part of the ensuing political debate over the programme. The IMF report has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the programme's operations. The Minority's concerns over the reported loss have been met with resistance from GoldBod, which has disputed interpretations that seek to attribute the loss directly to the Board.

The escalating dispute between Afenyo-Markin and GoldBod's CEO, Sammy Gyamfi, has brought the issue to the forefront of the political debate. The Minority Leader's threat of legal action has added a new dimension to the dispute, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. One thing is certain, however – the issue of the Bank of Ghana's Domestic Gold Purchase Programme will continue to be a major point of contention in the coming days.

Source: JOY