The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has acknowledged allegations of extortion and related misconduct leveled against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo‑Markin, by Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 24, the OSP confirmed receipt of three petitions concerning the matter—one jointly submitted by two individuals and two others filed separately. “The OSP also acknowledges a joint petition submitted by two persons, as well as two separate petitions submitted by other persons, in relation to the allegations,” the statement noted.
The anti‑corruption agency indicated that it will now assess the petitions to determine whether the allegations fall within its statutory mandate and whether grounds exist for further investigation. “Given the nature of the allegations, the OSP will assess the case and determine whether it falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted,” it added.
The development follows a heated public dispute between Mr Gyamfi and Mr Afenyo-Markin over claims concerning the financial performance of GoldBod. Mr Afenyo-Markin has repeatedly demanded answers from GoldBod over what he describes as losses of about GH¢22 billion associated with the institution’s operations.
Mr Gyamfi, however, has rejected the claim, insisting that GoldBod’s audited accounts show an operational surplus of GH¢907 million and an overall surplus of GH¢5.4 billion for 2025. The disagreement escalated after Mr Gyamfi described the Minority Leader as an “extortionist” and challenged him to take legal action if he believed the allegation was false.
“I called Afenyo-Markin an extortionist, and he can’t challenge it,” Mr Gyamfi said during an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile.
According to reports on the controversy, the allegation centres on an alleged demand for $1 million by Mr Afenyo-Markin, either directly or through a third party, in connection with the ongoing GoldBod dispute. The allegation has not been established as fact, and Mr Afenyo-Markin has rejected the accusation.
The Minority Leader had indicated that he was considering legal action over what he described as defamatory attacks. He has since reconsidered pursuing the case. The latest development has also triggered political reactions, with the United Party’s Communications Director, Solomon Owusu, and its Legal Director, Andrew Appiah-Danquah, reportedly petitioning several investigative bodies over the allegation.
The Office says its immediate task is to assess the petitions and the allegations before deciding whether the matter falls within its mandate and warrants further action.
