Afenyo-Markin faces NPP caucus today over extortion allegations amidst escalating GoldBod dispute

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin is set to face a critical closed-door meeting with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Caucus this morning, as he is expected to provide clarity on serious allegations of extortion made against him by Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) CEO, Sammy Gyamfi .

The meeting, scheduled ahead of Parliament’s sitting later in the afternoon, comes after senior members of the caucus reportedly deemed the allegations serious enough to demand immediate answers from their leader. The internal pressure suggests growing unease within the NPP ranks regarding the personal nature of the attacks and the direction of the party’s response .

The Root of the Dispute: A GH¢22 Billion Allegation

The controversy stems from questions raised by the Minority regarding financial losses associated with the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP). Afenyo-Markin has cited an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report indicating an under-recovery of approximately US$1.7 billion (GH¢22 billion) linked to gold trading operations in 2025 . The Minority Leader has publicly demanded a full disaggregation of these figures, asserting that “whichever institution’s balance sheet carries that figure, it represents public money,” and has called for a parliamentary inquiry into the transactions .

In response to these accusations, Sammy Gyamfi has firmly denied any loss, pointing to audited financial statements that show GoldBod recorded a surplus. Instead, Gyamfi launched a blistering counter-offensive, publicly labeling Afenyo-Markin an “extortionist” during a press conference at the seat of government and subsequently repeating the claim in media interviews, challenging the Minority Leader to pursue legal action if he believed the statements were defamatory . Gyamfi has insisted that the losses, if any, are reflected in the books of the central bank and not GoldBod, arguing that the criticism is a politically motivated attack on a successful program .

Afenyo-Markin’s Legal Threat and Caucus Pressure

Afenyo-Markin has categorically denied the accusations as “false and defamatory,” announcing his intention to “pursue the appropriate legal remedies” . In a formal statement released by the Minority Caucus, Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei rejected the allegations “without qualification,” asserting that the Minority’s concerns were rooted in the official IMF report and constituted legitimate parliamentary oversight .

However, the Minority Leader’s public denial has not fully pacified members of his own party. According to sources within the NPP, some senior MPs are concerned that the personal dispute is overshadowing the party’s substantive criticism of the government’s financial management and are seeking further clarification on the circumstances surrounding the allegations . The caucus meeting today is expected to serve as a platform for Afenyo-Markin to solidify support and align the party’s strategy before Parliament reconvenes to handle urgent legislative business .

Calls for Accountability

The escalating feud has drawn attention from various stakeholders. Some commentators have urged independent bodies, such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), to investigate the claims, stating that allegations of extortion are criminal in nature and cannot be dismissed as mere political rhetoric . Meanwhile, the Minority has doubled down on its demands for transparency, filing motions to summon GoldBod officials to appear before a parliamentary committee to “settle the public record by facts, tested under parliamentary scrutiny,” rather than by accusation .

As Parliament is recalled from recess, the political atmosphere remains charged. The outcome of this morning’s caucus meeting and Afenyo-Markin’s subsequent appearance on the floor are likely to define the direction of the intense debate surrounding the management of Ghana’s gold resources.