The Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has sued Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah and the Glorious Word Power Ministry International, seeking GH¢10 million in damages over alleged defamatory statements made against him.
The suit, filed at the High Court in Accra, concerns comments allegedly made by Rev Owusu Bempah during a church service on September 6, 2026.
Defamatory claims
According to the statement of claim, Dr Ayew Afriye opined that Rev Owusu Bempah used the platform of the Glorious Word Power Ministry International to make statements linking him to an alleged plan to attack the pastor and his church.
The plaintiff claimed the statements suggested that some New Patriotic Party (NPP) members were planning to organise two bus-loads of people to join others in Accra and forcefully enter the church premises.
Dr Ayew Afriye said his name was mentioned among several individuals allegedly involved in the purported plan, including Anthony Abayifa Karbo, Sammi Awuku and Frederick Opare-Ansah.
The plaintiff denied the allegations and maintained that he has never conspired with anyone or engaged any group of people to plan or attempt to attack Rev Owusu Bempah or his church.
He argued that the statements were defamatory and had the effect of lowering his reputation and standing in the estimation of right-thinking members of Ghanaian society.
GH¢10 million damages
In the suit, Dr Ayew Afriye is asking the High Court to declare the statements defamatory and award him GH¢10 million in damages.
He is also seeking an order directing the defendants to retract the statements and publish an unqualified apology to him on the same medium through which the alleged defamatory comments were made.
The plaintiff wants the apology to remain on the relevant platforms for 14 days.
He is additionally seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent Rev Owusu Bempah and the ministry from making or causing to be made similar defamatory statements against him.
The writ, filed on September 15, 2026, gives the defendants eight days after service to enter an appearance, failing which judgment may be entered in their absence without further notice.
Claims impact on political career
Dr Ayew Afriye, who described himself in the court documents as a medical practitioner and a third-term MP for the Effiduase-Asokore Constituency, also noted that the alleged statements have damaged his political reputation.
According to him, the comments could portray him as a person lacking the moral standing required to hold public office and undermine the trust placed in him by his constituents.
He averred that the alleged defamatory publication has caused him embarrassment and subjected him to public ridicule, scorn and opprobrium.
Dr. Ayew Afriye further claims that the statements have affected his aspirations to contribute to the development of his constituency and Ghana and have caused some potential voters to shun his company.
Warning and response
The MP said he had subsequently issued a warning to Rev Owusu Bempah on social media, asking him to retract the statements and apologise if he could not provide evidence to support the allegations.
However, according to the court documents, Rev Owusu Bempah allegedly responded on an electronic media platform by indicating that he was prepared to face the matter in court.
This, plaintiff maintained, demonstrated the pastor’s unwillingness to withdraw the alleged defamatory statements or apologise for them.
Dr Ayew Afriye further claims that the video containing the alleged accusations was circulated on several social media platforms, increasing the reach of the statements.
The allegations contained in the statement of claim are yet to be determined by the court, and Rev Owusu Bempah and the Glorious Word Power Ministry International will have an opportunity to respond to the claims.
