By King Amoah
The streets of Ghana’s second largest city, Kumasi iin the Ashanti region has been disturbing by a firestorm of controversy following the recent reports of an alleged staggering $1.7 billion financial shortfall within the corridors of GOLDBOD.
GOLDBOD is headed by Sammy Gyamfi a prominent stalwart of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Agency which is known for its strict financial security protocols is currently alleged to have found itself in a whooping ,$1.7 billion financial scandal, a situation that have triggered public debates and calls for accountability.
As the nation grumbles in suspicion the incident has laid bare into a deep atmosphere with the citizens of Kumasi including politicians having joined in the fray of debates.
Whilst debate intensifies all over the metropolis, supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been vocal in their condemnation, describing the Goldbod issue as an economic offence that needs special attention to deal with.
The opposition Npp in Kumasi are demanding that the parliamentary probe should pursue the matter with unflinching legal rigor to bring the whole truth of the matter out.
This is a serious drain on the Ghanaian economy, John Opare Mensah an Npp supporter from Atonsu stated.
Qpare stressed that he has little faith in a parliamentary probe, noting that with the Ndc holding the majority, they can easily influence the proceedings to protect Sammy Gyamfi who heads GOLDBOD.
We need an independent body to handle this matter to ensure that transparency and fair play prevail, Alexander Abeka of the Adum Npp added.
On the other side of the political divide Ndc stalwarts argue that supporters of the opposition Npp are merely making noise on the GoldBod issue to gain cheap political poits as the 2028 elections get near.
Kofi Agyeman, a member of the Adum Pampaso Ndc defended GOLDBOD by alleging that the funds were not “lost” but rather it was redirected to settle the previous Npp government’s outstanding debts to pave the way for current economic breakthroughs,
Echoing this sentiment Yaw Ofori, another Ndc supporter pointed to the CEO’s stance as evidence of innocence.
If this allegation is truly a case of negligence or theft why Sammy Gyamfi has been calling for a probe.
Sammy Gyamfi is however calling for a probe to clear his himself from any suspicion a well known. Ndc trader from Bantaama explained.
Further interviews conducted across several major lorry stations including Kwadaso, Sofoline and l Bomso revealed a growing exhaustion with the cyclical nature of corruption allegations.
Many commuters and traders pointed to history that the Npp whilst in power the same allegations involving over $300 billion loss in the gold buying sector was reported but accountability was woefully not rendered.
This historical context has fueled a rising sentiment that both the major political parties in the country the Npp and Ndc are equally complicit in the country’s economic woes.
Maame Yaa a trader at Bomso stated that both the Npp and Ndc are the same when it comes to governance and policy making and therefore Ghanaians have to treat them with contempt since they don’t have the welfare of the nation at heart.
Papa Yaw a taxi driver stationed at Kwadqaso in his contribution reiterated that the Npp and Ndc are driving this country into oblivion.
He said It is now time where Ghanaians should encourage a strong alliance among the smaller parties to take over the functions of the nation before it is too late.
