Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has sued Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited over remarks he says defamed his character and reputation.
The suit, filed at the High Court in Accra, follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of JoyNews’ Newsfile programme.
Afenyo-Markin is seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages for libel, as well as a full and unconditional retraction and public apology from the defendants.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described the plaintiff as an “extortionist” while discussing issues surrounding GoldBod and criticism of the financial losses associated with its operations.
The plaintiff contends that the remarks were false and defamatory and portrayed him as someone who uses his political position and influence to improperly pressure public institutions and officials.
The suit states that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation after the programme host, Samson Lardy Anyenini, asked him to clarify whether he stood by his description of Afenyo-Markin as an “extortionist”.
The plaintiff also cited comments in which Mr Gyamfi allegedly challenged him to sue if he disputed the allegation and maintained that he was speaking about events he claimed had occurred.
Afenyo-Markin argues that the remarks were published to a wide audience through JoyNews’ television and radio platforms and were subsequently circulated on social media platforms including X, Facebook and YouTube.
He further claims that the publication has damaged his professional and public reputation as a lawyer, senior politician and Minority Leader of Parliament.
The plaintiff denies ever engaging in extortion and says the allegations have exposed him to “hatred, ridicule, contempt and public disapprobation”.
He has also accused Mr Gyamfi of acting maliciously, arguing that the description was deliberately used in response to his criticism of GoldBod’s financial losses.
Afenyo-Markin has further sued Multimedia Group, alleging that the company facilitated the publication of the remarks through its Newsfile programme.
Among other reliefs, the plaintiff is asking the court to permanently restrain the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words of similar effect.
He is also seeking an order requiring any retraction and apology to be published or broadcast with substantially the same prominence and reach as the original publication.
The suit is seeking GH¢15 million in compensation, in addition to legal costs and any other reliefs the court considers appropriate.
