A heated debate has erupted, with accusations flying about the Gold-For-Reserves policy, and at the center of it all is a no-show that has everyone talking. Dzifa Gunu, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Digital Centres, has made a bold claim: Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, was a no-show on the JoyNews' Newsfile program on January 3, 2026. But what exactly is the controversy, and why is this absence so significant? Let's dive in.
According to Gunu, Oppong Nkrumah was invited to the program to defend his statements and provide clarity on issues related to the Gold-For-Reserves policy. This policy has become a hot topic, especially following an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report that revealed Ghana had recorded losses estimated at around $214 million. This revelation has sparked public debate and scrutiny, making Oppong Nkrumah's alleged absence all the more noteworthy.
Gunu didn't mince words, taking to Facebook to declare, "Kojo Oppong Nkrumah chickened out." The program was set to discuss the topic 'Gold for Reserves: IMF alarmed over $214m loss,' a subject that has generated public debate following claims attributed to Oppong Nkrumah against GoldBod.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Oppong Nkrumah, who previously addressed journalists on December 29, 2025, raised questions about the activities of GoldBod. He highlighted concerns about Alhaji Bawa, the proprietor of Bawa Rock Limited, and the company's role as the only licensed aggregator. Oppong Nkrumah stated that this arrangement had created a de facto monopoly, potentially harming fair pricing and transparency.
He questioned, "Who is benefiting from this deliberate monopoly? Who selected Bawa Rock Limited, and what criteria were used? Was it competitive? Who are the beneficial owners of this entity? These are questions the public deserves answers to."
And this is the part most people miss...
The IMF report's findings, which detailed the $214 million loss, have added fuel to the fire. However, GoldBod has refuted these claims, asserting that they have not recorded any losses and are on track to post a surplus of at least GH¢600 million in the 2025 financial year. GoldBod's CEO, Sammy Gyamfi, clarified that they don't charge off-taker fees and are responsible for purchasing, assaying, and exporting gold on behalf of the Bank of Ghana.
So, what do you think? Was Oppong Nkrumah right to raise these concerns? Did his absence from the program speak volumes, or is there another side to the story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
