Former spokesperson for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential running mate, Fiifi Boafo, has criticised officials of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) for what he described as an emotional response to concerns over reported losses arising from Ghana’s gold transactions.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Mr Boafo said recent comments by GOLDBOD Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi and NDC communicator Eric Adjei had shifted the public discussion away from the substantive issues raised in relation to the reported losses.
He argued that the matter required facts and explanations rather than personal attacks and political exchanges.
“If you listen to Sammy Gyamfi’s press conference and Eric Adjei’s [radio] comments, instead of addressing the issues, now emotions are driving the conversation, which should not be the case,” he said.
Mr Boafo referred to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report which, according to him, indicated that government had incurred losses through gold transactions conducted via GOLDBOD.
“It is true government made losses, and it was through gold, and GOLDBOD went to buy it,” he stated.
He said GOLDBOD should clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported losses and explain whether the losses were attributable to the Gold Board or the Bank of Ghana, rather than responding with accusations and personal attacks.
“They’ve taken the conversation away from what the IMF is saying to calling someone an extortionist, making allegations and comments about people’s minds,” Mr Boafo said.
He also recalled what he described as the measured response from former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to previous comments by Mr Gyamfi concerning the online payment platform Hubtel and its alleged association with the NPP flagbearer.
Mr Boafo said GOLDBOD should be prepared to account for its role in the transactions and provide clarity to the public.
“We expect GOLDBOD to come and say the loss is not from them but the Bank of Ghana,” he said.
Mr Boafo further criticised Mr Gyamfi’s reaction to comments by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin concerning the possible arrest and bail conditions of the GOLDBOD CEO.
He questioned why Mr Gyamfi would object to discussions about possible bail conditions after previously making strong allegations against former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia.
“You called Akufo-Addo and Bawumia criminals, but you are upset over talk about bail terms for you?” he asked.
Mr Boafo said the controversy should also be viewed against the backdrop of the NDC’s previous criticism of the NPP administration over a reported GH¢400 million loss associated with the Gold-for-Oil programme.
According to him, the history of such accusations makes it necessary for the current government to be transparent and open to scrutiny over any losses involving Ghana’s gold transactions.
He accused the government of shielding Mr Gyamfi from scrutiny because of what he described as the GOLDBOD CEO’s status as an NDC “darling boy”.
Mr Boafo called for clear assurances that similar losses would not occur in future gold transactions.
“[We need] the assurance that going forward, we will not experience this sort of loss?” he asked.
He stressed that any interventions involving the Bank of Ghana ultimately affect taxpayers and therefore citizens have a legitimate right to demand explanations about how public funds are being managed.
He maintained that the focus of the ongoing debate should remain on establishing the facts surrounding the reported losses, determining responsibility and putting measures in place to prevent a recurrence.
