Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has urged political opponents to recognise the role of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in originating the Gold-for-Reserve policy, saying that credit should be given where it is due. The comments came during a session in Parliament of Ghana shortly after the 2026 State of the Nation Address by President John Dramani Mahama.
Afenyo-Markin told lawmakers that the Gold-for-Reserve initiative was conceptualised under the leadership of Bawumia, who served as Vice-President before the current administration. He said that the policy was one of the key ideas that helped stabilise Ghana’s economy and should not be dismissed or downplayed by political actors in government.
According to Afenyo-Markin, economic commentators and citizens have acknowledged the positive impact of the policy, which he described as an innovative approach to strengthening the country’s reserves. He said that policymakers who built on the framework deserve acknowledgement, but the origins of the initiative belonged to Bawumia, insisting that history and public discourse should reflect that fact.
The Minority Leader also highlighted what he sees as broader issues of fairness in political debate, urging that policies and achievements should be discussed on their merits rather than being reshaped for partisan advantage. He argued that doing otherwise weakens public trust in national leadership and undermines productive policy dialogue.
Afenyo-Markin’s remarks were made amid ongoing discussions about Ghana’s economic direction and efforts to address fiscal challenges. Supporters of the policy say that Gold-for-Reserve has helped boost foreign reserves and contributed to economic confidence, while critics maintain that policy success depends on effective implementation and complementary reforms.
The Minority Leader’s call for recognition of Bawumia’s contributions reflects a wider contest over economic legacies between political parties as the nation prepares for upcoming elections. Afenyo-Markin said that fair acknowledgement of foundational ideas encourages healthy political competition and fosters a more informed electorate.
His comments have sparked debate both inside and outside Parliament, with some political analysts agreeing that proper attribution promotes accountability, while others say policy effectiveness should be the focus rather than individual credit.
