Nii Lantey Apologizes to Sammy Gyamfi

Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has issued an unreserved apology to Sammy Gyamfi and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after comments he made during a television discussion sparked criticism within the party. Mr Vanderpuye, in a statement dated August 20, 2026, acknowledged that his remarks during his appearance on Citi TV earlier in the day had created an impression that he was undermining the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and lending support to attacks against him.

He said, however, that this was never his intention, explaining that his objective during the discussion was to defend the work of GoldBod and the efforts of Mr Gyamfi. “I wish to sincerely apologise for my comments during my presentation on Citi TV this morning,” Mr Vanderpuye said, adding that after listening carefully to himself and reflecting on the discussion, he recognized that he had failed to communicate his intended position appropriately. “I take full responsibility for that,” he stated. The apology follows a public controversy over Mr Vanderpuye’s comments concerning Mr Gyamfi and the growing criticism surrounding GoldBod.

Mr Vanderpuye said his remarks were made against the backdrop of what he described as sustained propaganda and attacks surrounding the institution and its leadership. According to him, his attempt to respond to those attacks resulted in an error of judgement and communication that gave the impression that he was condemning his fellow NDC member. “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 said.

He stressed that his political record and commitment to the NDC would not allow him to knowingly strengthen the position of the opposition against a member of his own party. “Indeed, my intention during the discussion was to defend the work of GoldBod and the efforts of Sammy Gyamfi,” he explained. Mr Vanderpuye offered a specific apology to Mr Gyamfi, describing him as a dedicated member of the NDC who has served the party with courage and commitment over the years.

He said Mr Gyamfi deserves the support of party members as he undertakes what he described as one of the important national responsibilities entrusted to him. “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,” Mr Vanderpuye said. The apology comes at a time when GoldBod and its leadership have faced intense political scrutiny, with opposition figures questioning aspects of the institution’s operations and policies.

Mr Vanderpuye also extended his apology to the leadership, members and grassroots of the NDC who may have been disappointed or hurt by his comments. He acknowledged that party members expect leaders and those seeking greater responsibility within the party to demonstrate solidarity, sound judgement and loyalty, particularly when members and institutions associated with the government are facing political attacks. “At a time when our comrades and the institutions they lead are subjected to politically motivated attacks, members rightly expect those of us who have been entrusted with leadership and those aspiring to greater responsibility within the party to demonstrate solidarity, sound judgement and loyalty to our collective cause,” he said.

He maintained that his comments should not be interpreted as a departure from his longstanding commitment to the NDC. Mr Vanderpuye pointed to his long involvement in the NDC, saying he had spent a significant part of his political life defending and fighting for the party through difficult personal and political circumstances. He said his commitment to the party and its supporters remained absolute. “The NDC is my political home, and my loyalty and commitment to its cause remain unwavering,” he declared.

The apology effectively seeks to draw a line under the controversy, with Mr Vanderpuye taking responsibility for the way his comments were communicated while reaffirming his support for Mr Gyamfi, GoldBod and the NDC. His statement also makes clear that while he may have had observations on the issues under discussion, he did not intend for those views to be interpreted as an endorsement of opposition attacks against the party’s leadership or the state institution headed by Mr Gyamfi.

By: Joyce Owusu