'Step aside as Minority Leader' – Brako Powers urges Afenyo-Markin amid extortion allegations
Private legal practitioner Austin Brako Powers has urged Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin to temporarily step aside from his position while he pursues legal action to clear his name over extortion allegations.
This comes amid a public dispute between Afenyo-Markin and Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi.
Sammy Gyamfi has accused Afenyo-Markin of leading what he described as a smear campaign against him and linked the alleged campaign to claims of extortion.
Afenyo-Markin has denied the allegations and filed a defamation suit against Gyamfi, Eric Agyei and some media houses in an attempt to clear his name.
Speaking on Accra-based TV3's New Day programme on Tuesday, August 25, Brako Powers said the allegations are serious because they impute criminality and could affect public confidence in the Minority in Parliament.
He said Afenyo-Markin's decision to seek legal redress was appropriate but argued that he should temporarily relinquish his leadership role until the case is determined.
“If possible, the Minority Leader should consider stepping aside to exhaust the legal action so as to clear himself. I think that would be a good option for him,” he said.
According to him, allowing Afenyo-Markin to continue leading the Minority while the allegations remain unresolved could affect how the public receives statements and positions from the minority caucus.
He said the legal process could take time and the Minority needed a leader who would command public confidence without the allegations hanging over the caucus.
Brako Powers stressed that his call did not amount to a declaration of Afenyo-Markin's guilt, noting that the court process should determine the merits of the case.
“This allegation is not a mere allegation. I've said that it imputes criminality, and it doesn't mean he has done that, and it doesn't mean he is also innocent. But I would expect him to look at the nature of the allegation,” he said.
“Step aside, prosecute your matter, or exhaust your case, so that when you are cleared or you are declared victorious, then you can be able to lead your caucus,” he stressed.
The dispute between Afenyo-Markin and Gyamfi comes amid controversy over reported losses linked to the Domestic Gold Purchasing Programme operated through GoldBod by the Bank of Ghana.