The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has formally accepted an apology from former Member of Parliament for Odododiodio, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, and has called on members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to maintain unity as the party focuses on governance.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, August 22, 2026, Mr. Gyamfi revealed that he had held a private conversation with the former Minister of Youth and Sports and that the matter had been resolved amicably .
“My good brother, Honourable Nii Lante Vanderpuye, is one of the people who have been very supportive of my young political career projection. I consider him a senior brother and I know that he harbours no ill will towards me,” Mr. Gyamfi said .
🤝 Background to the Controversy
The dispute arose following comments made by Mr. Vanderpuye during a television discussion on Channel One TV on August 20, 2026. The former MP, who is currently seeking to become the NDC’s National Chairman, had expressed reservations about the language used by Mr. Gyamfi in his response to Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin during a Government Accountability Series session on August 19 .
During the exchange, Mr. Gyamfi had described the Minority Leader as a “noisemaker” and accused him of having “bastardised and depraved” the office of the Minority Leader over claims concerning an alleged $1.7 billion loss associated with GoldBod’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme .
Mr. Vanderpuye had said he would have communicated differently if he were in the GoldBod CEO’s position, stating that “you are not speaking to only that person; you are speaking to the entire country” . His remarks triggered significant backlash from sections of the NDC, with party supporters accusing him of undermining a fellow party member and appearing to side with the opposition .
📝 The Apology
In a formal statement dated Thursday, August 20, Mr. Vanderpuye issued an unreserved apology to Mr. Gyamfi and the party.
“I wish to sincerely apologise for my comments during my presentation on Citi TV this morning. 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,” he stated .
He clarified that his intention was to defend GoldBod but acknowledged that his choice of words created a wrong impression. “Let me state clearly and without ambiguity that 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 added .
In his statement, Mr. Vanderpuye also praised Mr. Gyamfi’s dedication to the party, describing him as “a dedicated member of our party who has served the NDC with courage and commitment over the years” .
🗣️ Gyamfi’s Response
Accepting the apology, Mr. Gyamfi said the matter was now closed.
“The man says he is sorry. I believe it ends there,” he told JoyNews, adding that the pair had a “very hearty conversation” on Friday, August 21, during which they resolved their differences .
“We are all not perfect. At times, in communicating something, it may come across in a way we didn’t intend it,” he said, stressing that Mr. Vanderpuye’s willingness to apologise demonstrated there was no need to prolong the disagreement.
Mr. Gyamfi also explained the context of his original strong response to the Minority Leader, stating that it was necessary to counter what he described as a sustained smear campaign against him and GoldBod.
“Some of the comparisons and the words were strong is duly understood and taken in good faith, but I have explained to you that that is how you crush deliberate, malicious smear campaigns,” he said. He alleged that the Minority Leader’s actions were motivated by a personal agenda, describing it as “extortion” .
🌐 Broader Context: NDC Unity Concerns
The reconciliation comes at a time when the NDC is facing growing concerns about internal division. Deputy General Secretary of the party, Mustapha Gbande, recently warned members against jealousy and internal sabotage, stating that “when an NDC person is getting rich, his enemy is from within” .
Meanwhile, the party’s Council of Elders has issued stern directives cautioning members against engaging in premature political activities that could undermine party cohesion. In May 2026, the council warned that “every member of the Party is expected to devote his or her energies, resources, and commitment to supporting the Government’s efforts to reset the country” rather than engaging in internal competition .
The controversy also drew public criticism from former NDC Deputy General Secretary Koku Anyidoho, who accused Mr. Vanderpuye of hypocrisy and questioned his suitability for the National Chairman position .
👤 Profiles of Key Figures
Sammy Gyamfi (GoldBod CEO)
Sammy Gyamfi is a Ghanaian lawyer and policy strategist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), and a Barrister-at-Law certificate from the Ghana School of Law. He holds a Master of Arts in Economic Policy Management from the University of Ghana and Executive Certificates from the Harvard Kennedy School .
He rose to national prominence as the National Communications Officer of the NDC and was appointed in January 2025 by President John Dramani Mahama as Acting Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), tasked with establishing the Ghana Gold Board .
Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye
Nii Lante Vanderpuye, born June 11, 1965, is a former sports journalist and politician. He served as Member of Parliament for the Odododiodio constituency from 2013 to 2021, and held the positions of Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and Minister of Youth and Sports under the John Mahama administration .
He holds a master’s degree in Governance and Leadership from GIMPA and a B.A. in English, Philosophy and Classics from the University of Ghana . He is currently an aspiring candidate for the NDC National Chairman position.
📋 Conclusion and What It Means
The resolution of this dispute represents a significant moment for the NDC as it seeks to maintain internal cohesion while governing the country. Mr. Gyamfi’s willingness to accept the apology and his emphasis on party unity underscore the importance of solidarity within the party at this critical juncture.
“At the end of the day, we in the NDC have a party to build and a nation to govern,” Mr. Gyamfi said, encapsulating the sentiment that internal disagreements should not derail the party’s broader political responsibilities .
