Story by Yaaba Yamikeh, Takoradi
The newly elected Western Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Ignatius Kwasi Afrifa, has called for an independent investigation into the reported GH¢22 billion loss associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP), describing the development as a serious national scandal.
According to him, a financial scandal of such magnitude would have attracted intense public scrutiny and political pressure had it occurred under the previous NPP administration led by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Mr Afrifa argued that the then opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), under its leadership at the time, would have mobilised pressure groups, civil society organisations, religious bodies, the media and the general public to demand accountability from the government.
He said he believed the NDC would even have pushed for the impeachment of former President Akufo-Addo if his administration had been responsible for such a development.
The Western Regional NPP Chairman, however, expressed concern that organisations and institutions that traditionally served as watchdogs of public accountability appeared to be relatively quiet over the reported loss.
He particularly criticised sections of the media, alleging that journalists who were vocal in demanding accountability during the previous NPP administration had now become less critical of the government.
Independent investigation
Mr Afrifa maintained that the reported US$1.7 billion loss, equivalent to about GH¢22 billion, as attributed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in relation to the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, was too significant to be ignored.
He therefore called for an independent probe to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported loss, determine responsibility and, where wrongdoing is established, ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
In an interview with the Daily Statesman, Mr Afrifa further alleged that the money was not necessarily missing but could have been retained for political purposes ahead of the 2028 general election.
He, however, provided no evidence to substantiate the allegation.
He also cited what he described as the “needless propaganda, attacks and insults” directed at the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and other NPP Members of Parliament by members of the governing NDC as an indication that the government might be attempting to divert public attention from the matter.
“This is why an independent probe is necessary to unravel the hidden truth and retrieve the GH¢22 billion for the execution of development projects to enhance the standard of living of ordinary Ghanaians,” he said.
Mr Afrifa said no amount of political propaganda, insults, intimidation or name-calling would deter the NPP from demanding answers on the reported loss.
He said the NPP, as the largest opposition party in the country, was prepared to intensify its efforts to protect the national purse and ensure that taxpayers’ money was properly accounted for.
The Western Regional NPP Chairman said the region was awaiting the government’s response to the call for an independent investigation before deciding on its next course of action.
Minority raises concerns
The controversy follows concerns raised in Parliament by the Minority, led by Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, over the reported US$1.7 billion loss associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The Minority has called on the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), which operates as the state’s buying agent under the programme, to explain the circumstances surrounding the reported loss and outline measures to prevent similar occurrences in future transactions.
GoldBod has disputed the characterisation of the reported loss as a loss on its own books. Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, has maintained that the amount does not appear in GoldBod’s accounts.
The Minority, however, has rejected that explanation, arguing that the absence of the amount from GoldBod’s books does not necessarily mean that the reported loss did not arise from operations under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
It has insisted that, as the anchor and state buying agent for the programme, GoldBod must account for the circumstances surrounding the loss reported by the IMF.
The Minority has also argued that GoldBod’s reported audited surplus of GH¢907 million from its operations and an overall surplus of GH¢5.4 billion do not resolve the concerns surrounding the reported US$1.7 billion loss.
The controversy has consequently intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s gold purchasing operations, with the NPP in the Western Region insisting that an independent investigation remains the best way to establish the facts and determine responsibility.
This version deliberately uses phrases such as “reported loss,” “attributed to the IMF,” “alleged,” and “provided no evidence” to avoid presenting politically contested claims as established facts.
