Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has filed defamation suits against Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, Multimedia Group Limited (operators of JoyNews), and Peace FM over allegations of extortion.
The Effutu Member of Parliament announced the legal action on Monday, August 24, 2026, when Parliament reconvened. He informed the House that he had caused two writs to be filed.
The first suit, Number GT/1029/2026, titled Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin versus Samuel Adu Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited, was filed at the Accra High Court. The second, Number GR/ACH/CC/C5/02/2026, titled Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin versus Eric Adjei and Peace FM, was lodged at the Achimota Circuit Court.
The action follows a public dispute between the Minority Leader and the GoldBod CEO over reported losses of about US$1.7 billion (GH¢22 billion) under the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) in 2025. The figure has been linked to an International Monetary Fund report. Afenyo-Markin has repeatedly called for accountability from the government and GoldBod regarding the losses.
Gyamfi has rejected suggestions that GoldBod itself recorded the losses, insisting any shortfall sits with the Bank of Ghana and pointing to audited accounts that he says show a surplus for the gold board. During the exchanges, Gyamfi described Afenyo-Markin as an “extortionist,” claiming the label stemmed from underlying issues between them that were not public knowledge. He dared the Minority Leader to sue him and said he was ready to defend the claim in court. Similar remarks were attributed to Eric Adjei.
Afenyo-Markin has dismissed the allegations as entirely false and defamatory. He insisted that his questions formed part of Parliament’s constitutional oversight role and accused critics of using personal attacks to divert attention from the financial issues at stake. He also stated that he is prepared to submit himself to any investigation by the Ghana Police Service or the Office of the Special Prosecutor should he be invited, so that his name can be cleared.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has confirmed receipt of petitions related to the extortion claims and said it will assess whether the matter falls within its mandate and whether further action is required.
Gyamfi has maintained that he will defend his statements in court. The lawsuits represent a major escalation in the ongoing political confrontation over the gold purchase programme and demands for greater transparency.