Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says he is prepared to withstand the political pressure and attacks that come with his position, stressing that he will not be the first Minority Leader to face such challenges.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe, the Effutu MP said he understood the weight of the position when he accepted the leadership of the Minority Caucus and remained committed to discharging the mandate entrusted to him.

“Look, I won’t be the first minority leader to suffer attacks,” he stated.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said political pressure and legal challenges were not unusual for opposition leaders, citing the experience of current Majority Leader and former Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.

He noted that Dr Ato Forson faced criminal proceedings while serving as Minority Leader under the previous administration but continued to perform his parliamentary duties.

Read Also: ‘Jesus was accused; he kept quiet’ – Afenyo-Markin on Sammy Gyamfi allegation

“In opposition, like I said, was Ato Forson not in court? Was his situation not worse than mine? Do you get what I mean?”

He also pointed to the experiences of opposition leaders in other jurisdictions, saying some had faced even more severe consequences while performing their roles.

“And I said, oh, sir, in other jurisdictions, minority leaders have been arrested. They are in jail. In other jurisdictions, minority leaders are made to report to investigative agencies all the time.”

Mr Afenyo-Markin’s comments come amid a public dispute with Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, who has accused the Minority Leader of making false claims about GoldBod and its operations.

Mr Afenyo-Markin had earlier threatened to pursue legal remedies over what he described as defamatory allegations against him, including comments portraying him as an “extortionist”.

However, when asked whether he would take Mr Gyamfi to court, the Minority Leader adopted a more measured position, saying he would not allow emotions to dictate his response.

“I have made certain statements. I would rely on them without more. Don’t rush. In the Bible, Jesus was accused; wild allegations. He kept quiet and watched them. He could have done anything.”

He said Ghanaians expected a certain level of maturity from him as Minority Leader and that he would not allow personal attacks to distract him from his responsibilities.

“So if I would be carried away with emotions, I would fail. It’s not an emotional game. It’s not a game that somebody attacks you, you should also react. No, you won’t get it.”

Focus remains on GoldBod losses

Mr Afenyo-Markin maintained that the Minority would remain focused on its concerns over the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) and the reported losses associated with it.

“We want to focus. We promised the people of Ghana that we would file a motion; we have filed that motion.”

He described the Minority’s position as a matter of national interest rather than a partisan campaign against the government.

“This is an important national issue. It is not a partisan call. It is a patriotic call being made by a vigilant minority, however few our numbers.”

The Minority Leader said he understood the responsibilities attached to his position and was prepared to face whatever challenges came with it.

“So, I’m very clear in my mind. The very day I took this job, I knew the weight of it. Everything is on me. I’m ready to live up to the task. I rely on my God, and I thank the party for the support.”

He also called for the planned parliamentary hearing into the reported GoldBod losses to be broadcast live, arguing that the public deserved to follow the proceedings.

“But I pray for a live broadcast of the hearing. We expect that once the motion is carried, there will be a full public hearing of these GoldBod losses,” he stated.