Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has taken legal action against Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi and others following allegations that he attempted to extort money from the state-owned gold agency’s chief executive.
Afenyo-Markin announced the lawsuits when Parliament reconvened on Monday, August 24, 2026, saying he had chosen the courts to address what he considers false and defamatory statements made against him.
The dispute between Afenyo-Markin and Sammy Gyamfi grew out of a wider disagreement over GoldBod’s operations and reported losses associated with the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).
Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of being an “extortionist” and has challenged him to seek legal redress if he believes the description is defamatory.
Afenyo-Markin has rejected the allegation and maintained that his scrutiny of GoldBod is part of Parliament’s oversight responsibilities.
He has now followed through with legal action.
According to Afenyo-Markin, two separate cases have been filed. One, Suit Number GT/1029/2026, names Sammy Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited at the Accra High Court. The second, Suit Number GR/ACH/CC/C5/02/2026, names Eric Adjei and Peace FM at the Achimota Circuit Court.
The Minority Leader said he was confident the courts would determine the merits of the cases based on the evidence and applicable law.
The legal battle is unfolding against a heated political and financial debate over the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
Afenyo-Markin has repeatedly demanded explanations over reported losses linked to the programme. Citi Newsroom reported that his concerns centre on a reported US$1.7 billion loss recorded by the Bank of Ghana in 2025 under the gold purchase programme.
The Minority Leader has used the reported figure to question the performance of the programme and demand greater accountability from government and GoldBod.
Gyamfi, however, has rejected the suggestion that GoldBod itself incurred the reported losses and has defended the institution’s performance. The GoldBod CEO has also maintained that he is prepared to defend his statements about Afenyo-Markin in court.
The disagreement has therefore moved beyond Parliament and public commentary into the courts.
The controversy has taken another turn with the involvement of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
On August 24, the OSP said it had received petitions concerning the extortion allegations against Afenyo-Markin. The anti-corruption agency said it received one joint petition from two individuals and two separate petitions from other individuals.
The OSP said its immediate task is to assess the allegations and determine whether they fall within its statutory mandate. It will then decide whether the information provides grounds for further investigation.
The OSP’s assessment should not be interpreted as a finding that Afenyo-Markin committed extortion. At this stage, the allegations remain allegations, and any determination of wrongdoing would have to follow the appropriate legal process.
Afenyo-Markin has said he is willing to cooperate with any lawful investigation into the matter. ModernGhana reported that he told Parliament he would submit himself to investigations by the Police, OSP or any other competent authority if formally invited.
The immediate focus will now be on the legal proceedings and the OSP’s assessment of the petitions.
The lawsuits could provide a formal avenue for determining whether the statements made against Afenyo-Markin meet the legal threshold for defamation and whether the parties named in the cases have a defence.
At the same time, the OSP’s review could determine whether the extortion allegations warrant further investigative action.
