Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has commenced a defamation suit at the High Court in Accra against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Samuel Adu Gyamfi, popularly known as Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited, operators of Joy News and Joy 99.7 FM.
The suit, filed on August 24, 2026, by Mr Afenyo-Markin’s lawyer, Mr F. Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers, seeks general, aggravated and exemplary damages for libel, a full retraction and public apology, a perpetual injunction and costs of GH¢15 million, among other reliefs.
The action follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of the Newsfile programme, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini and broadcast on radio, television and social media platforms.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi, who appeared as a panellist on the programme, described Mr Afenyo-Markin as an “extortionist.”
The plaintiff avers that Mr Gyamfi sought to justify the description, challenged him to sue and suggested that supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were ignorant of his activities.
The statement of claim reproduces portions of the alleged remarks, including Mr Gyamfi’s assertion that he had never previously used the word “extortion” against any critic and his confirmation, when questioned by the host, that he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo-Markin further alleges that although the host offered a form of apology, Mr Gyamfi did not retract the statements.
The plaintiff contends that the words were understood to mean that he was an extortionist who used his political position to exert improper pressure on public institutions, engaged in improper negotiations and lacked the honesty and integrity expected of a legal practitioner and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that the statements were published maliciously and were defamatory of his character and reputation.
The statement of claim also holds Multimedia Group Limited jointly and severally liable, arguing that the company broadcast the alleged defamatory remarks through its Newsfile programme and failed to stop their continued dissemination.
Mr Afenyo-Markin is seeking an order directing the defendants to publish a full and unconditional retraction and apology with the same prominence as the original publication, including on JoyNews and relevant social media platforms.
He is also seeking an injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing the same or similar words concerning him.
The writ commands the defendants to enter appearance within eight days of service.
The case is pending before the High Court of Justice, General Jurisdiction, Accra.
Meanwhile, Mr Afenyo-Markin has also commenced a separate libel action at the Achimota Court against the CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Adjei, and Peace FM.
The second suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Adjei on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo programme on Friday, August 21, 2026, which the plaintiff says were similar to the remarks attributed to Mr Gyamfi.
