Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has denied allegations that he engaged in any wrongdoing in connection with claims made against him by GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi.

He said claims that there are videos or audio recordings of him engaging in acts that could embarrass him, his family, or the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are false.

Afenyo-Markin's lawyers rebut false claims of writ service on Sammy Gyamfi

“… People talking about, they have videos and audio. Some people are playing games on social media. Nobody has any video of me doing anything and I say so on my five points of fellowship. Nobody has any audio of me doing anything to embarrass myself, my family, and the party,” he said.

The Effutu MP said he has always respected the office of the Minority Leader and the history of the NPP, adding that he would not act recklessly.

“I have discharged my duty as a Minority Leader with all the dignity that must go with the office. I sit on a seat that JB Danquah, JH Mensah, Busia Dombo, Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Paapa Owusu Ankomah sat on. I don't take NPP for granted. It's a tradition I respect,” he said at an event.

Afenyo-Markin said the party's elders trusted him with the position because they believed he could lead the caucus responsibly.

“From day one, they entrusted me with this position; I have always acknowledged that weight of history to do what is right. I'm not a perfect guy, but I won't be reckless,” he added.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the Minority's actions concerning GoldBod are part of its parliamentary oversight duties and are not aimed at attacking individuals.

He said the caucus received a report, which was also discussed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and its finance team reviewed the document before deciding to take action.

“For want of a better word, we are not accusing anybody. What we are doing is that we are exercising our oversight. We, as a caucus, were served with a report. The IMF, we met them. They handed over a copy of their report to us and the finance guys in the caucus analysed the report and felt that we need to do what we're supposed to do as part of our parliamentary oversight,” he disclosed.

He explained that the matter would be handled through Parliament's procedures when the House resumes in October.

The Minority Leader said the report would first go before the Business Committee before it is tabled for debate, after which the Speaker could set up an ad hoc committee.

“Speaker has admitted it's a matter in the public space. We're on break; there's no rush. We need to follow the procedure. When we resume in October, the Speaker himself once admitted it will come before the business committee; then we table it. Then there will be the debate. Then Speaker will set up the ad hoc committee,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin stressed that the Minority's focus is on what it considers policy failures and financial losses to the state, rather than personalities.

“We are not dealing with personalities. We are dealing with policy failure; we are dealing with losses we consider the amount of financial loss to the state, and we should delve into it,” he stressed.

NDC is asking us to 'sack' Afenyo-Markin - Awal Mohammed

He added that investigating the matter could also help the government identify weaknesses in its policies and make changes where necessary.

“I believe that if we are able to do it, it would even help government because in the end, they then would know that these are the weaknesses in the policy they implemented and perhaps reform and do things better,” he concluded.



MAG/BAI

Politicians who steal millions should not think they are above goat thieves - Mahama Ayariga