Extortion Claim Against Afenyo Is False -Mama Pat

Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei has dismissed allegations of extortion and misconduct against Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader. These claims, according to Appiagyei, are part of a strategy to divert attention from questions posed by the Minority Caucus concerning the financial standing of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme. The Deputy Minority Leader made these remarks in a statement on August 22, 2026.

Appiagyei stated that the financial losses linked to the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme were confirmed in an official report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and were not fabricated by the Minority. She emphasized that seeking a transparent reconciliation of GoldBod’s financial statements with the IMF report is a legitimate parliamentary oversight responsibility.

She criticized the personal attacks directed at Minority members, including Afenyo-Markin, and stated that the Minority would not respond with similar attacks but would instead follow proper institutional procedures.

The Deputy Minority Leader called on public officials, including GoldBod’s CEO, Sammy Gyamfi, to adhere to standards of civility, restraint, and respect, as outlined in Ghana’s Code of Conduct and Ethics for political appointees. She urged GoldBod to appear before a Parliamentary Inquiry to fully account for the losses identified in the IMF report and reconcile them with its audited financial statements.

Afenyo-Markin, in response, maintained that the allegations against him are false and were made to divert attention from the Minority’s questioning of the reported losses under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

Afenyo-Markin highlighted that his actions were guided by his duty as Minority Leader to assist Parliament in its oversight responsibilities. He called for a full inquiry into the reported GH¢22 billion loss, which arose from GoldBod’s trading activities, as reflected in the Bank of Ghana’s books. Afenyo-Markin also requested a detailed breakdown of the reported US$1.7 billion loss under the programme, including details on off-takers, discounts, authorization of discounts, and fees earned from transactions.

He expressed the need for Ghantians to be informed about the parties involved, price differentials, and management decisions behind these transactions. Appiagyei stated that the Minority would continue to update the public on the matter and that the resolution should be based on factual parliamentary scrutiny rather than accusations from either side.