Nii Lante Vanderpuye has apologised to Ghana Gold Board Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi after comments about the GoldBod boss’s political communication style triggered criticism from members of the National Democratic Congress.
The NDC National Chairman aspirant admitted that his remarks on Channel One TV on Thursday, August 20, did not convey his intended position and created the impression that he was criticising Mr Gyamfi while the opposition was attacking him.
His apology came within hours of the television discussion, as displeasure spread among party supporters who accused him of failing to stand with an NDC appointee under political pressure.
Comments over Gyamfi’s tone trigger backlash
Mr Vanderpuye’s comments followed Mr Gyamfi’s appearance at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19.
During that engagement, the GoldBod CEO rejected claims by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin about alleged losses linked to the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
Mr Gyamfi described the Minority Leader as a “noisemaker” and accused him of having “bastardised and depraved” the office he occupies.
Discussing the exchange on Breakfast Daily, Mr Vanderpuye described Mr Gyamfi as a good communicator but suggested that his own years of experience in political communication would have led him to respond differently.
He said the tone should have reflected the fact that the exchange was taking place in public and before a national audience.
That observation did not sit well with sections of the NDC. Some party members interpreted it as a defence of Mr Afenyo Markin and an unnecessary public rebuke of Mr Gyamfi.
Vanderpuye accepts responsibility
In his statement, Mr Vanderpuye said he had listened again to his comments and accepted that he had handled the discussion poorly.
“I wish to sincerely apologise for my comments during my presentation on Channel One TV this morning,” he said.
“Having had the opportunity to listen carefully to myself and reflect on the discussion, I acknowledge that I did not communicate my intended position in the manner I should have. I take full responsibility for that.”
Mr Vanderpuye insisted that his intention was to defend the work of GoldBod and support Mr Gyamfi, not strengthen the opposition’s case against either of them.
“It was never my intention to undermine or condemn our comrade, Sammy Gyamfi, or to lend support to the attacks being directed at him and the GoldBod by the opposition,” he said.
He apologised directly to Mr Gyamfi, describing him as a committed party member who had served the NDC with courage.
“Whatever observations I may have had should never have been expressed in a manner capable of being interpreted as validating the attacks of our political opponents against him,” he added.
Apology extends to NDC grassroots
Mr Vanderpuye also apologised to the NDC leadership, members and grassroots supporters who felt disappointed by his comments.
The former National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme acknowledged that party members expect solidarity and sound judgement from people seeking leadership positions, especially when government appointees are facing opposition criticism.
“The NDC is my political home, and my loyalty and commitment to its cause remain unwavering,” he said.
The apology may calm the immediate disagreement within the party, but the argument that sparked it remains alive.
Mr Afenyo Markin continues to question the financial implications of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and has suggested that the GoldBod CEO could face prosecution over the alleged losses.
Mr Gyamfi has rejected those allegations and defended GoldBod’s operations. His sharp response to the Minority Leader, rather than the substance of the financial dispute, briefly turned the issue into an internal NDC argument over tone, loyalty and political communication.
Mr Vanderpuye has now stepped back from that argument. His message to the party is straightforward: the criticism was badly expressed, the impression it created was unintended, and the apology is without qualification.
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