By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News Canada
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has dismissed warnings by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that officials of the institution could face severe bail conditions should the New Patriotic Party (NPP) return to power.
Mr Gyamfi said he was not intimidated by the remarks and insisted that GoldBod’s leadership was operating in good faith and could point to measurable results.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19, he also defended GoldBod’s contribution to Ghana’s gold value chain, particularly the expansion of local refining.
He cited the fact that more than nine million tonnes of gold purchased by the institution had been refined locally, arguing that this represented a significant change from previous years.
“Under your tenure, not a gram of gold was refined in Ghana, but today over 9 million tonnes of gold we have bought is refined here in Ghana, and we are changing the value addition story of the country,” he said.
Mr Gyamfi described some of the Minority Leader’s arguments as lacking the seriousness expected of parliamentary debate.
He further said he was unconcerned about the possibility of prosecution, responding directly to Mr Afenyo-Markin’s earlier warning.
“So I will go to prison in his brain, and I will have onerous bail terms in his brain, and I am not afraid of any intimidating tactics because we are serving Ghana in good conscience and our results and posterity will speak for us,” he stated.
Mr Afenyo-Markin had earlier warned that GoldBod officials could face what he described as “scary” bail conditions if the NPP returned to office, amid allegations of GH¢22 billion in losses at the institution.
COMMENTARY
This dispute illustrates the growing political battle over GoldBod and its financial performance.
However, allegations of financial losses and claims of institutional success should ultimately be tested against audited accounts, verifiable records and independent investigations, rather than political speeches.
The public deserves answers based on evidence. If GoldBod has performed well, the figures should demonstrate it. If serious financial irregularities occurred, those responsible should also be identified through due process.
Political threats of future prosecution are equally unhelpful. Accountability must be based on law and evidence-not political revenge.
