Political analyst and Executive Director of the Africa Institute of Strategic Studies, Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere, has described the ongoing political confrontation surrounding the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and Acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, as a case of “payback gone wrong.”
According to him, Sammy Gyamfi has over the years been a strong critic of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), particularly on issues of corruption, incompetence and policy failures, making him a political target for the opposition.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme on August 25, 2026, in Accra, Dr Asante Otchere said the matter appears to have moved beyond normal political criticism into allegations of slander, defamation and possible legal action.
He said Sammy Gyamfi’s persistent criticism of the NPP may have contributed to the intensity of the current political confrontation, describing him as someone who has been a “thorn in the flesh” of the opposition party.
Dr Asante Otchere said although political parties are expected to scrutinise one another, the current situation appears to have moved beyond the usual political exchanges.
He explained that allegations involving public officials and institutions must be backed by evidence, stressing that political disagreements should not automatically become personal attacks or accusations that can damage the reputation of individuals.
On the controversy surrounding financial losses associated with gold purchasing arrangements, Dr Asante Otchere cautioned against attributing all the losses directly to GoldBod.
He argued that the losses did not start with the establishment of GoldBod, noting that Ghana had recorded losses in similar arrangements in previous years.
He pointed to losses recorded in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, arguing that the issue therefore requires a broader examination of the system rather than focusing exclusively on the current GoldBod administration.
According to him, part of the difficulty is the existence of different exchange rates within Ghana’s financial system.
He identified the Bank of Ghana rate, commercial bank rates and forex market rates among the different rates that operate in the country, arguing that the gap between official and market rates can create significant forex differentials.
Dr Asante Otchere said when gold is purchased using a particular market rate but the transaction is subsequently accounted for using another rate, the resulting difference can contribute to reported losses.
He therefore insisted that such factors must be considered before concluding that GoldBod alone is responsible for the financial losses under discussion.
He further questioned who ultimately bears the cost of the difference between the various exchange rates, particularly where gold purchasing arrangements involve transactions at rates different from the official Bank of Ghana rate.
Dr Asante Otchere said the issue therefore requires proper technical analysis and public education rather than political accusations.
He also criticised what he described as the increasing personalisation of the controversy involving Sammy Gyamfi and Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
According to him, Sammy Gyamfi has demonstrated a strong command of language and has been able to engage the opposition on its own political terrain, making the confrontation particularly intense.
He said this may partly explain why the matter has become more heated than the normal political disagreements between the NDC and NPP.
Dr Asante Otchere, however, cautioned against statements that could be interpreted as veiled threats.
He said political commentary suggesting that pursuing members of one political party could result in retaliation against members of another party does not help strengthen accountability.
According to him, accountability should be based on evidence and established legal procedures rather than the fear of political retaliation.
He said the suggestion that one party could pursue the other whenever political power changes hands risks creating a cycle in which governments become reluctant to investigate alleged wrongdoing.
Dr Asante Otchere also addressed the possibility of legal action over allegations that Sammy Gyamfi engaged in extortion.
He said if such allegations are made, the person making them must be prepared to substantiate them with evidence.
He explained that if the allegations cannot be proven in court, the affected person could seek appropriate legal relief, including damages for defamation and slander.
However, if the allegations are proven and the conduct is found to constitute a criminal offence, he said the consequences could be much more serious.
He warned that beyond possible legal sanctions, a finding against Sammy Gyamfi could have significant implications for his political career and public reputation.
Dr Asante Otchere said the same political calculations could also affect Alexander Afenyo-Markin, depending on how the matter develops and whether the allegations made against the government official are ultimately substantiated.
He observed that the controversy has therefore created a situation where someone is likely to score political points while another person’s public image or political career could suffer.
He said the Minority Leader’s decision on whether to pursue the matter through the courts could also have political consequences.
According to him, failure to take legal action after making serious allegations could raise questions within his own political party about the basis of the accusations.
He therefore suggested that political actors must be tactical in deciding which battles to pursue, particularly where allegations have the potential to escalate into prolonged legal and political disputes.
Dr Asante Otchere said politicians sometimes need to know when to allow contentious issues to cool down rather than escalating every disagreement.
He stressed that the ultimate objective should be to establish the truth, protect public institutions and ensure that accountability is pursued without allowing partisan interests to undermine the process.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah — Ahotoronline, Accra.
