The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has rejected claims that it owes the Bank of Ghana (BoG) an unpaid overdraft of GH¢1 billion, describing the allegation as “totally false” and part of a deliberate attempt to tarnish the institution’s reputation.
The claim was attributed to the Member of Parliament for Tano South, Dr. Gideon Boako, who GoldBod said had alleged that the state gold-buying institution was indebted to the central bank through an outstanding overdraft.
In a statement signed by its Media Relations Officer, Prince Kwame Minkah, GoldBod insisted that it has never contracted an overdraft, loan or other debt facility from the Bank of Ghana or any financial institution since its establishment.
“For the records, the GoldBod has never at any time since its establishment taken a loan, overdraft or any debt instrument from the Bank of Ghana or any financial institution whatsoever,” the statement said.
The Board described the allegation as a “deliberate and malicious smear campaign” and said the claim attributed to Dr. Boako was “contrived and should be treated with utmost contempt.”
GoldBod subsequently called on the Tano South MP to withdraw the claim and apologise for what it considers a false statement.
“We entreat the MP to unequivocally retract and apologize for putting out this falsehood,” the statement added.
