It appears the Minority Leader in Parliament, Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has reached his high limit of tolerance and will no longer accept the wanton assassination of his character by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Samuel Adu Gyamfi, referred to as Sammy Gyamfi and his assigns.
Sammy Gyamfi and the CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Adjei, have described Osahen Afenyo-Markin as an ‘extortionist’ after the Minority Leader and his Caucus in Parliament called for an investigation into the loss of a whopping $1.7 billion through the operations of GoldBod under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).
This was after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that Ghana’s DGPP led to quasi-fiscal losses exceeding US$1.7 billion, equivalent to GH¢22 billion in 2025, which is about 1.5% of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the same year.
The Minority Leader argued that the GoldBod cannot claim credit for foreign exchange gains and economic stability while distancing itself from the costs and losses arising from the same transactions, calling for the probe.
However, instead of speaking to the real issue of possible financial loss to the state, the GoldBod CEO and his “boy” Eric Adjei decided to go personal, assassinating the character of the Minority Leader.
Consequently, Oshen Afenyo-Markin has sued the two at the High Court and Circuit Court respectively as well as two media houses, for false and defamatory statements against him.
He has filed a libel suit at the High Court in Accra against Sammy Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited, operators of JoyNews and Joy 99.7 FM.
Plaintiff’s Reliefs
The writ of summons and statement of claim, dated 24 August 2026 and issued by solicitor F. Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers, Osahen Afenyo-Markin, seek general, aggravated, and exemplary damages; a full public retraction and apology; a perpetual injunction; and costs, including GH¢15 million as compensation.
The Plaintiff is also seeking an order that any retraction and apology be broadcast on JoyNews and published on the same platforms with equal prominence, as well as a permanent injunction restraining further similar publications.
Background
According to the claim, the action arose from comments made by Sammy Gyamfi during the 22 August 2026 edition of the popular current-affairs programme Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini and broadcast on JoyNews television, Joy FM radio and social-media platforms.
In the suit, Osahen Afenyo-Markin, a four-term Member of Parliament, former Majority Leader, current Minority Leader and traditional leader in the Effutu Traditional Area, stated that he has built a reputation for integrity, honesty, and competence that led to his election as Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
He described himself as a person of both national and international repute.
The statement of claim noted that Sammy Gyamfi, while responding to questions about GoldBod’s reported profits and operational losses, “veered into an unsparing attack” on Osahen Afenyo-Markin, describing him as an “extortionist.”
The GoldBod CEO was reported to have justified the description by noting that he rarely uses the word “extortionist” against critics and that this was the first time he had done so because the allegation was true.
He further challenged Oshen Afenyo-Markin and his supporters to sue him or debate him, insisting that the Minority Leader knew the claim was accurate.
Specific extracts quoted in the writ included Sammy Gyamfi stating that there were “many underlining issues” between him and Afenyo-Markin, asking why he would use the word “extortion” now if it were not true, confirming with a “YES” when asked whether he was calling the Minority Leader an extortionist, and daring the host to encourage Afenyo-Markin to sue so that he (Gyamfi) could substantiate the claim.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin maintained that the words are false and denied ever engaging in extortion or any improper use of his political position.
He argued that listeners understood the statements to mean that he habitually engages in extortion, uses his influence to pressure public institutions, conducts secret improper negotiations, and lacks the honesty and integrity expected of a legal practitioner and senior public official.
The statement of claim averred that the remarks were published maliciously, motivated by Afenyo-Markin’s criticism of GoldBod’s financial performance, and that Multimedia Group facilitated the publication by broadcasting the programme live and allowing Gyamfi to continue after the host had raised concerns.
It noted that the recording has since circulated widely on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube and other platforms, amplifying the alleged damage.
The defendants have been directed to enter appearance within eight days of service. The case is expected to test the boundaries of political commentary, the defence of justification in defamation law, and the responsibilities of broadcasters when live guests make serious allegations against public figures.
