I’m Ready to Face Afenyo-Markin in Parliament Any Day – Sammy Gyamfi

Date: August 19, 2026
By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi/ Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has thrown down the gauntlet to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, declaring that he is ready to appear before Parliament at any time to answer questions about allegations that GoldBod incurred significant financial losses through its gold trading operations.

Mr Gyamfi made the challenge on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, while speaking during the government’s Accountability Series, where he addressed growing concerns surrounding GoldBod and the financial performance of Ghana’s gold purchasing arrangements.

The GoldBod CEO said he was particularly interested in appearing before Parliament to demonstrate what he described as the lack of evidence behind claims linking GoldBod to losses incurred under the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).

According to him, instead of continuing to hold press conferences on the matter, Mr Afenyo-Markin should use Parliament’s existing procedures to invite him before the appropriate committee.

‘I’m waiting with bated breath’

Mr Gyamfi said he had already indicated publicly that he was prepared to face Parliament and respond to the allegations.

He questioned why the Minority Leader had not yet facilitated such an invitation despite calls for a parliamentary investigation into GoldBod’s operations.

“There’s been a call for a parliamentary probe, and I’ve already stated on public record that I’m waiting with bated breath for Afenyo-Markin’s invitation,” Mr Gyamfi said.

He argued that the Minority Leader could work through Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to invite him to answer questions about the institution’s financial activities.

Mr Gyamfi added that he was ready to appear before the committee whether the invitation came immediately or at a later date.

‘Invite me today or tomorrow’

The GoldBod CEO went further by challenging Mr Afenyo-Markin to stop the public exchanges and allow the matter to be examined through Parliament.

“I don’t know why he’s delaying and holding press conferences when, as Minority Leader, he can get the Public Accounts Committee to summon me tomorrow or today, and I will appear,” he said.

Mr Gyamfi maintained that a parliamentary hearing would provide an opportunity for both sides to place their evidence before the appropriate institution and allow the public to understand the facts surrounding the controversy.

Gyamfi reaches out to James Agalga

Mr Gyamfi disclosed that he had also reached out to Majority Leader James Agalga, asking him to facilitate an invitation should the Minority Leader delay in doing so.

He said his request was simply for Parliament to give him the opportunity to appear before the relevant committee and respond to the allegations.

“I have in all humility reached out to the new Majority Leader in Parliament, Honourable James Agalga, and I pleaded with him that even if Afenyo-Markin delays in extending this invitation, he should extend the invitation to me and I’m ready to come tomorrow,” he said.

According to Mr Gyamfi, GoldBod has nothing to hide and is prepared to account for its activities.

No special motion needed, Gyamfi says

Mr Gyamfi also disputed suggestions that Parliament would need to pass a special motion or obtain a special order from the Speaker before he could be invited to answer questions.

He argued that the Public Accounts Committee already has the authority to invite officials to provide explanations concerning financial matters under its remit.

“You don’t need any special motion; you don’t need any special order by the Speaker,” he said.

He insisted that the committee could simply invite GoldBod representatives, after which the institution would appear and provide its explanation.

The CEO said such an appearance would allow GoldBod to demonstrate where, if anywhere, the institution had made losses and to distinguish its own financial position from losses attributed to another institution.

The $1.7 billion controversy

The latest exchange forms part of a broader political dispute over an alleged US$1.7 billion loss associated with Ghana’s gold purchasing programme.

The figure has generated intense debate between the government and opposition, with critics demanding an explanation of how the losses occurred and whether GoldBod should be held responsible.

Mr Gyamfi has repeatedly rejected the suggestion that GoldBod should be blamed for the reported losses.

He has argued that the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme predates the establishment of GoldBod and that the financial issues associated with earlier operations should not automatically be attributed to the Gold Board.

The distinction between the historical programme and GoldBod’s operations has become a major part of the ongoing political debate.

Abena Osei-Asare calls for investigation

The controversy has also attracted calls for a formal investigation.

Abena Osei-Asare, former Minister of State in charge of Finance and Member of Parliament for Atewa East, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to order a thorough investigation into reported losses associated with GoldBod.

Ms Osei-Asare also chairs Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, the very committee Mr Gyamfi says could invite him to appear and answer questions.

She has argued that the reported financial losses require closer scrutiny to determine how they occurred and whether adequate measures were taken to protect public funds.

GoldBod insists it can defend its record

For Mr Gyamfi, a parliamentary hearing would provide an opportunity to settle some of the questions surrounding GoldBod’s operations.

He maintains that the institution can account for its activities and explain the distinction between GoldBod’s finances and losses that may have been incurred under previous gold-purchasing arrangements.

The CEO therefore believes that allowing the matter to be examined openly before Parliament would be more productive than continuing the political exchanges through press conferences.

His willingness to appear before Parliament is also intended to demonstrate, in his view, that GoldBod is prepared to face scrutiny.

Political battle intensifies

The latest comments add another layer to an increasingly heated political dispute over Ghana’s gold sector.

The government has positioned GoldBod as a key institution in its efforts to reform the gold industry, increase foreign-exchange earnings and ensure that Ghana obtains greater value from its mineral resources.

The opposition, however, has continued to demand answers concerning the financial implications of the gold purchasing arrangements.

Mr Afenyo-Markin has maintained pressure on the government over the issue, while Mr Gyamfi has accused his critics of relying on inaccurate claims to undermine GoldBod.

The disagreement has now moved beyond public statements, with calls for Parliament to examine the matter.

What a parliamentary hearing could establish

A formal appearance before the Public Accounts Committee could give lawmakers the opportunity to examine GoldBod’s financial records, transactions and relationship with the Bank of Ghana’s gold purchasing programme.

It could also provide an avenue for officials to explain the origins of the reported losses and determine which institution should be held accountable for them.

For the public, such a hearing could offer greater clarity on one of the most controversial issues surrounding Ghana’s gold sector.

It could also help distinguish between losses incurred by the Bank of Ghana under earlier programmes and the financial performance of GoldBod since its establishment.

‘We are waiting’

Mr Gyamfi ended his challenge with a clear indication that he remains ready for parliamentary scrutiny.

He said GoldBod would welcome the opportunity to appear before the Public Accounts Committee and respond directly to the allegations.

“We are waiting for that,” he said.

The challenge now puts the spotlight on Parliament and, particularly, the Public Accounts Committee chaired by Abena Osei-Asare.

Whether the committee will invite Mr Gyamfi to appear and provide detailed answers could determine the next stage of the growing controversy surrounding GoldBod.

For now, the GoldBod CEO insists he is ready to face his critics in Parliament “any day” and defend the institution’s record before lawmakers and the Ghanaian public.