The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has said that it has formally taken note of public allegations of extortion and related conduct levelled against Minority Leader of Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin by Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi,
The OSP, in a public notice dated 24 August 2026, stated it had also received a joint petition from two persons and two separate petitions from others concerning the matter.
The office said it would assess whether the case falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted.
The OSP’s statement is the latest development in a heated public dispute that began when Afenyo-Markin and the Minority Caucus raised questions about reported losses of approximately GH¢22 billion (about US$1.7 billion) under the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) in 2025.
The Minority attributed the figure to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report and pressed GoldBod, which administers the programme for full accountability and reconciliation with its audited financial statements.
Gyamfi rejected responsibility for the losses, pointing instead to audited 2025 statements he said showed a surplus and arguing that any shortfalls lay with the Bank of Ghana.
In responses between mid- and late August, including press appearances and an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile on 22 August, he accused Afenyo-Markin of mounting a “desperate smear campaign” involving “sophistry and political blackmail.”
He described the Minority Leader as an “extortionist” and “devious,” claiming there were underlying issues between them unknown to the public and daring Afenyo-Markin to sue if he considered the label defamatory.
Gyamfi maintained he had never used the term against other critics and insisted Afenyo-Markin’s silence on the specific charge indicated its truth.
Afenyo-Markin and the Minority Caucus have categorically rejected the allegations.
In a formal statement dated 22 August signed by Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei, the Caucus described Gyamfi’s characterisations as false and without basis, insisting their questions derived solely from the IMF report and Parliament’s oversight role.
Afenyo-Markin himself called the claims “entirely false and defamatory,” initially signalling intent to pursue legal remedies.
He later adopted a more measured tone, invoking the biblical example of Jesus remaining silent under accusation and stating he would not be distracted by what he viewed as attempts to divert attention from substantive financial questions.
The Minority has continued to demand that GoldBod appear before a parliamentary inquiry to reconcile the reported losses with its accounts. Some NPP MPs reportedly sought clarification from Afenyo-Markin at a caucus meeting, though he has dismissed reports of being “summoned.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
