Monday, 24 August

NPP MPs demand answers from Afenyo-Markin this morning over Sammy Gyamfi’s extortion allegations

Politics
Afenyo-Markin, Effutu MP and Minority Leader

Some senior members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Caucus are demanding answers from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin following recent allegations of extortion levelled against him by Gold Board (GOLDBOD) Chief Executive Sammy Gyamfi.

Class News understands that Mr Afenyo-Markin is expected to face questions from members of the NPP Parliamentary Caucus this morning.

The development follows Mr Gyamfi’s description of the Minority Leader as an “extortionist,” insisting that the term was not an insult but a true description of Mr Afenyo-Markin which he was prepared to corroborate.

Mr Gyamfi made the comments during the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House, in response to claims by the Minority, led by Mr Afenyo-Markin, concerning a reported $1.7 billion loss associated with the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

Mr Afenyo-Markin had suggested that Mr Gyamfi could be arrested and subjected to oppressive bail terms over the reported loss.

In response, Mr Gyamfi said such an eventuality existed only in the Minority Leader’s imagination and accused him of extortion.

Mr Gyamfi subsequently repeated the allegation during an interview with Samson Lardy on Joy News’ Newsfile, challenging Mr Afenyo-Markin to take legal action if he believed the claims were defamatory.

Mr Afenyo-Markin has firmly denied the allegations, adding that he is weighing his legal options.

Unsatisfied, however, some senior NPP Members of Parliament (MPs), who believe the Minority Leader needs to provide further clarification to the Caucus, have called for a meeting before Parliament sits in the afternoon.

The meeting will provide Mr Afenyo-Markin the opportunity to respond to questions from his colleagues and clarify the circumstances surrounding the allegations.

Parliament has been recalled from recess to consider urgent legislative business.

Source: classfmonline.com