Sammy Gyamfi’s words on Afenyo-Markin were harsh; I wouldn’t use them on such platform — Vanderpuye

Former Member of Parliament for Ododiodio, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has criticised Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi over his choice of words in responding to Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

The comments come amid a public disagreement between the Minority and GoldBod over a reported $1.7 billion loss, a claim the GoldBod has rejected.

Addressing the media in Parliament earlier this week, the Minority Leader stated that the GoldBod CEO could be facing onerous bail conditions over alleged financial irregularities.

Responding at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19, Sammy Gyamfi described the comments as “reckless” and referred to them as “fanciful effusions of a palm wine bar”.

He also criticised the Minority Leader over his handling of the esteemed position previously held by respected political figures, including J.H. Mensah, Papa Owusu-Ankomah and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

Reacting to this on Accra-based Channel One TV's Breakfast Daily show on Thursday, Nii Lante Vanderpuye said he would not have used the same language employed by Sammy Gyamfi, despite acknowledging that Afenyo-Markin had also acted irresponsibly.

The former lawmaker stressed that the position occupied by the GoldBod CEO requires a more measured approach to public communication because his statements reached a wider audience beyond the individual being addressed.

“I wouldn’t use those words. I wouldn’t want anyone to use that on a platform like that,” he said.

He explained that public officials should be mindful that their statements are not directed only at their immediate opponents but were also heard by the wider public.

The former lawmaker, who has a background in communications, said he would even apologise on behalf of Sammy Gyamfi because of his seniority and experience.

He, however, said Afenyo-Markin also acted irresponsibly by using mechanisms available to him in a manner he described as inappropriate for a Minority Leader.