Accra: Aspiring National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has expressed his disapproval of Ghana Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi's choice of words in his response to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. Vanderpuye suggested he would have approached the communication differently.
According to Ghana Web, Vanderpuye, who spoke on Channel One TV on Thursday, August 20, 2026, emphasized that while personal communication styles vary, he would have refrained from using the language employed by Gyamfi in his public address. Vanderpuye highlighted the importance of public figures being mindful of their words, as their audience extends beyond the individual being addressed.
Vanderpuye stated, "Everyone has a style; I wouldn't use those words, but... if the Minority Leader had acted using the mechanisms available to him, you would have acted in a much more responsible manner, and the response from the other side would have been different." He further criticized the harshness of Gyamfi's words and took the opportunity to apologize on his behalf, even though Gyamfi had not issued an apology himself.
Vanderpuye, who has a background in communication, argued that public communication requires consideration of a broader audience. He pointed out that Gyamfi, despite being a good communicator, lacks the extensive political communication experience that Vanderpuye possesses. He also criticized Afenyo-Markin's actions, describing them as irresponsible for a minority leader.
In conclusion, Vanderpuye reiterated his belief in the importance of careful communication, noting that Gyamfi's words were not just directed at Afenyo-Markin but at a wider audience.