Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has dared Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to summon him before Parliament to respond to allegations that the agency recorded losses in its gold trading activities.
Gyamfi insisted he is prepared to appear at any moment to prove that suggestions tying GoldBod to shortfalls under the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme lack foundation.
Addressing the government’s Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19, he said he is keenly anticipating a parliamentary invitation to clear the air on the accusations.
He expressed puzzlement at the Minority Leader’s preference for media briefings on the issue, noting that the Public Accounts Committee already has the power to call him in.
“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,” Gyamfi remarked.
“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 rejected the idea that any special motion or Speaker’s approval would be necessary, stressing that the Public Accounts Committee itself can simply invite him.
Gyamfi added that he has already contacted the new Majority Leader, James Agalga, and requested that the invitation be issued promptly if the Minority Leader continues to hesitate.
“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 stated.
“You don’t need any special motion; you don’t need any special order by the Speaker. Just get the Public Accounts Committee to invite us and come and sit down there and come and demonstrate to the whole nation where the Gold Board made losses or how the Gold Board is to blame for losses made by another institution.”
He reaffirmed his readiness to explain GoldBod’s activities and rebut the claims. “We are waiting for that,” Gyamfi concluded.
The remarks come after Abena Osei-Asare, former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry and current Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, urged President John Dramani Mahama to launch a full probe into reported losses linked to GoldBod’s operations.
The Atewa East MP argued that the financial shortfalls demand careful examination to determine their origin and whether public funds were properly protected.
Her appeal follows reports of a $1.7 billion loss that the International Monetary Fund has reportedly associated with GOLDBOD, a figure she says warrants thorough review by the government and relevant institutions.
