I've not done anything to embarrass myself, family or NPP – Afenyo-Markin rejects extortion allegations 

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has rejected allegations linking him to extortion, insisting that he has conducted himself with the dignity expected of his office.

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 when cultural troupes from Winneba visited his residence in Accra on Monday, August 31, the Effutu MP said he would not engage in reckless conduct that could bring his name, family or the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into disrepute.

“I’m not a perfect guy, but I won’t be reckless. I know what I have to do," said the Minority Leader.

He said his position as Minority Leader carries a significant historical responsibility, given the senior figures who previously occupied the position.

According to him, the trust placed in him by the party’s elders from the beginning of his tenure had made him conscious of the need to conduct himself responsibly.

Afenyo-Markin also defended the Minority’s decision to pursue parliamentary scrutiny of concerns raised in an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report concerning a purported losses by the Ghana Gold Board (Bold).

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

The Minority Leader said a parliamentary probe of the matter could ultimately benefit the government by exposing weaknesses in the policy and allowing for reforms.

He said the process should be conducted openly and democratically so Ghanaians could better understand the issues raised by the Minority Caucus.