MINORITY ACCUSES GOLDBOD OF CAUSING GH¢22 BILLION LOSS TO GHANA'S ECONOMY

The Minority in Parliament has accused the government’s GoldBod initiative of causing the nation a staggering GH¢22 billion loss, describing it as one of the biggest cases of financial mismanagement under the current administration.

Addressing journalists at a press conference on the State of GoldBod and the Perils it Poses to Ghana’s Economy, the Minority Leader, Hon. Afenyo-Markin, said it was hypocritical for the government to be arresting individuals for causing financial losses of GH¢50 million, GH¢10 million, and GH¢5 million to the state, while ignoring the massive losses allegedly caused by GoldBod.

“You are arresting people for causing financial loss to the state – 50 million, 10 million, 5 million cedis. But when the Minority speaks, you threaten to arrest us. Meanwhile, GoldBod alone has woefully caused this nation 22 billion cedis,” Hon. Afenyo-Markin stated.

He questioned who should be blamed for corruption, arguing that the government’s actions have led to greater losses than those being prosecuted.  
“So between the NPP and NDC, who is causing financial loss to the state? But because they are in government, they are using power to do whatever they want,” he added.

The Minority Leader urged the Majority in Parliament to allow the House to debate the GH¢22 billion loss, and called on officials of GoldBod to appear before Ghanaians to account for the funds.

“GoldBod, please come and answer questions to Ghanaians about this loss. This is not about insults. GoldBod has to pay the money because it is Ghana’s money. This is not the Minority saying it – this is the IMF saying it, and you cannot argue with the report. This is not about the Minority being bitter or ignorant,” he stressed.

The Minority maintained that the revelations in the IMF report cannot be ignored and demanded full transparency and accountability from government on the operations and financial impact of GoldBod.