Ghana is set to adopt stricter financing standards for development projects as the government seeks to protect the country’s debt position and avoid a repeat of the economic pressures that culminated in the 2022 debt crisis.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said government would no longer contract loans merely because funding was available, insisting that proposed projects must demonstrate clear economic value before receiving financing.

“Ghana will now proceed with discipline. We will not borrow simply because financing is available,” Dr Forson stated.

He explained that projects financed through government’s cooperation with external partners would be subjected to greater scrutiny, with emphasis placed on their ability to contribute meaningfully to economic growth.

Under the approach, projects must be economically justified, transparently procured and capable of generating revenue, creating jobs, increasing exports, improving productivity or reducing costs.

Dr Forson specifically cited major infrastructure investments such as roads, railways, power plants and industrial enclaves, stressing that such projects must produce measurable benefits for the economy rather than add to the country’s debt burden without corresponding returns.

“Any road, railway, power plant, industrial enclave or other infrastructure financed through this cooperation must improve productivity, create jobs, increase exports and strengthen Ghana’s ability to repay its obligations,” he said.

The Finance Minister also disclosed that government intends to broaden the sources from which it secures development financing while maintaining strict controls over public debt.

“We will diversify our financing sources, protect debt sustainability and avoid a return to the conditions that led to the 2022 debt crisis,” he stated.

Dr Forson made the remarks during the Fifth Session of the Ghana–China Joint Commission on Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that its official passport application website, passport.mfa.gov.gh, is temporarily unavailable due to technical issues.

In a notice issued on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the Ministry informed passport applicants and other customers who may be experiencing difficulties accessing the platform that the website is currently down.

The disruption means members of the public attempting to access the online passport application platform may be unable to do so until the technical problem is resolved.

According to the Ministry, its technical team is actively working to restore the website. The team is collaborating with the National Signals Bureau (NSB) as part of efforts to identify and resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

The Ministry did not provide a specific timeline for when the website would be fully restored. However, it assured the public that another update would be issued once the technical difficulties have been resolved.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry also apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the temporary outage.

The notice was directed to all media houses to help inform the public about the disruption and prevent applicants from being unnecessarily concerned about difficulties accessing the passport website.

Members of the public who are currently unable to access passport.mfa.gov.gh are therefore being advised to await further communication from the Ministry on the restoration of the service.

AAklZ8sftjLXx6JwJusEXETD20i2_PRESS RELEASE – INTERNET DISRUPTION IN PASSPORT

Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has filed a libel suit at the High Court in Accra against the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Samuel Adu Gyamfi, popularly known as Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited.

The suit follows alleged defamatory remarks made by Sammy Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of JoyNews’ Newsfile, which was hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.

According to the Statement of Claim, Afenyo-Markin, who describes himself as a legal practitioner, prominent public figure, fourth-term Member of Parliament and former Majority Leader, says he has built a reputation for integrity, honesty, professionalism and competence in his legal and public career.

He also states that he is a traditional leader in the Effutu Traditional Area and has served as Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

The suit identifies Sammy Gyamfi as the first defendant and Multimedia Group Limited, operators of Joy 99.7 FM and JoyNews TV, as the second defendant.

Alleged “extortionist” remarks

Afenyo-Markin’s case centres on comments allegedly made by Sammy Gyamfi during a discussion about GoldBod’s financial performance and criticism surrounding the institution.

The plaintiff claims that, in response to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and liabilities, Sammy Gyamfi launched what the suit describes as an “unscathing attack” on him and referred to him as an “extortionist.”

The Statement of Claim says Sammy Gyamfi further justified the description by indicating that he had appeared on Newsfile many times and had held numerous press conferences on political issues but had never previously used the word “extortion” against any of his critics.

The plaintiff also claims that Sammy Gyamfi questioned why Afenyo-Markin had not challenged or threatened to sue him over his previous statements.

The court documents further quote Sammy Gyamfi as saying that there were underlying issues between him and Afenyo-Markin which the public did not know about.

The suit also alleges that Sammy Gyamfi challenged Afenyo-Markin and his supporters to debate the matter, describing himself as a “consummate democrat” who was prepared to engage in debate.

When the host sought clarification on whether Sammy Gyamfi was indeed calling the Minority Leader an “extortionist”, the Statement of Claim says he responded affirmatively and maintained that Afenyo-Markin could not challenge him because he knew what had been said was true.

The plaintiff further cites remarks in which Sammy Gyamfi allegedly encouraged the host, a lawyer, to represent Afenyo-Markin and sue him so that he could substantiate the allegation.

The suit also quotes Sammy Gyamfi as saying the statement was not an insult but that he was “speaking about what has happened and he knows.”

Afenyo-Markin denies extortion allegation

Afenyo-Markin strongly denies the allegations, describing the statements as false and defamatory.

He argues that the categorical description of him as an “extortionist”, without identifying when, where or from whom he allegedly extorted anything, amounts to defamation.

The plaintiff further argues that Sammy Gyamfi’s reference to unspecified “underlying issues” did not provide a legitimate basis for the allegation.

According to the Statement of Claim, the plaintiff believes the remarks were made with knowledge that they were defamatory and without proof to support them.

He also rejects the suggestion that his failure to immediately respond to previous criticisms could be interpreted as an admission that the allegations were true.

Alleged implications of the publication

The suit states that people who heard or watched the broadcast would have understood the allegations to mean that Afenyo-Markin is an extortionist and habitually engages in extortion.

The plaintiff further says the statements created the impression that he uses his political position and influence to exert improper pressure on public institutions and officials, engages in secret or behind-the-scenes negotiations for improper purposes, and improperly intervenes in the affairs of public institutions.

He also argues that the remarks portrayed him as someone who abuses the influence associated with his position and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the honesty and integrity expected of a legal practitioner and senior public official.

Claims of malicious publication

Afenyo-Markin alleges that the statements were published maliciously.

Among the particulars of malice cited in the Statement of Claim are the alleged deliberate use of the word “extortionist” in connection with his criticism of financial losses involving GoldBod, the repetition of the allegation after the host questioned Sammy Gyamfi about it, and the alleged assertion that Sammy Gyamfi possessed evidence to support his claims.

The plaintiff also cites the alleged challenge to him to “dare” Sammy Gyamfi and argues that the statements were presented as facts rather than opinions.

He maintains that the publication was made in circumstances calculated to expose him to public contempt, ridicule, disrepute and opprobrium.

Social media circulation

The plaintiff says the alleged defamatory statements were broadcast on JoyNews TV during Newsfile and were subsequently circulated widely on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.

According to the suit, recordings of the programme were watched, listened to, downloaded, shared and otherwise accessed by members of the public.

Afenyo-Markin therefore argues that the publication reached a substantial audience and continues to cause damage to his reputation.

He says the allegation is particularly serious because of his position as a legal practitioner and senior political figure.

The plaintiff claims that the publication has exposed him to hatred, ridicule, contempt and public disapproval while creating a false impression that he uses his political influence to extort or improperly negotiate with public officials.

Multimedia Group’s involvement

The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant.

Afenyo-Markin argues that Multimedia, through its JoyNews platform, published or facilitated the publication of the alleged defamatory statements to its audience.

He further alleges that the second defendant, despite being aware of the legal consequences of the statements, did not stop Sammy Gyamfi from making the remarks or deactivate his microphone.

The plaintiff says the programme therefore became a medium through which the alleged defamatory statements were disseminated to a wide audience.

Reliefs sought

Afenyo-Markin is seeking general damages for libel, aggravated damages and exemplary damages against the defendants.

He is also asking the High Court to order Sammy Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction of the alleged defamatory statements.

He wants the defendants to issue a public apology and publish or broadcast the retraction and apology with substantially the same prominence and reach as the original publication.

The plaintiff is specifically seeking an order requiring the retraction and apology to be broadcast on JoyNews and published on the electronic and social media platforms through which the alleged defamatory material was disseminated.

He is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, assigns and anyone acting under their authority from republishing the alleged defamatory words or statements with the same or substantially similar meaning.

In addition, Afenyo-Markin is claiming GH¢15 million in compensation, together with costs, including legal costs.

He has also asked the court to grant any further or other reliefs it considers appropriate.

The writ commands the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after service, inclusive of the day of service, failing which judgment may be entered in their absence.

The suit was filed through lawyer F. Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers in West Legon, Accra.

WRIT OF SUMMONS ( OSAHENE ALEXANDER AFENYO-MARKIN

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has begun assessing allegations of extortion and related conduct involving the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

The allegations were publicly made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, against the Minority Leader.

In a public notice dated Monday, August 24, 2026, the OSP said it had taken note of the allegations and acknowledged petitions submitted in connection with the matter.

The anti-corruption agency disclosed that it had received a joint petition from two individuals, in addition to two separate petitions submitted by other persons regarding the allegations.

The OSP said its immediate task is to assess the nature of the allegations and determine whether the matter falls within its statutory mandate.

It will also decide whether the circumstances warrant further investigative action.

“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,” the notice stated.

The OSP’s announcement does not mean that Afenyo-Markin has been found guilty of extortion or that a formal investigation has already commenced. The office is first determining whether the allegations fall within its jurisdiction and whether there are grounds for further action.

The allegations form part of an increasingly public dispute between Afenyo-Markin and Sammy Gyamfi, with the GoldBod CEO accusing the Minority Leader of extortion.

Afenyo-Markin has rejected the allegations and has indicated his willingness to submit himself to any investigation by the relevant state institutions. He has also taken steps toward legal action over the claims.

The OSP’s assessment could determine whether the matter proceeds to a formal investigation or whether no further action is required.

Minority Leader and Effutu Member of Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has commenced legal action against the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over comments he says have damaged his reputation.

Mr Afenyo-Markin is demanding GH¢15 million in damages in a defamation suit arising from remarks allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, a current affairs programme hosted by journalist Samson Lardy Anyenini.

According to the writ of summons and statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi referred to the Minority Leader as an “extortionist” during the broadcast.

Mr Afenyo-Markin argues that the description was false, defamatory and capable of causing serious harm to his standing as a lawyer, politician and serving Member of Parliament.

He maintains that the alleged statement conveyed several damaging meanings, including that he was someone who habitually engaged in extortion, exploited his political position to exert undue pressure on public institutions and improperly used the influence associated with his office.

The plaintiff further contends that the alleged remarks were published maliciously and subjected him to hatred, ridicule, contempt and public disapproval.

In addition to the GH¢15 million claim, Mr Afenyo-Markin is asking the court to award general damages for libel, aggravated damages and exemplary damages against the defendants.

He is also seeking an order compelling Mr Gyamfi and Multimedia Group to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction of the alleged defamatory comments.

The Minority Leader wants the defendants to accompany the retraction with a public apology, with both the apology and correction receiving substantially the same level of prominence and reach as the original broadcast.

Mr Afenyo-Markin is further asking the court to grant a perpetual injunction preventing the defendants from repeating or republishing the statements he considers defamatory.

The suit also includes a claim for costs and legal expenses incurred in pursuing the case.

The legal action comes after a public disagreement between Mr Afenyo-Markin and Mr Gyamfi linked to allegations surrounding Ghana’s domestic gold purchasing programme.

The case now places the disputed comments before the courts, with Mr Afenyo-Markin seeking financial compensation, a formal retraction and restrictions against any further publication of the alleged statements.

Source: NEWS ALERT GH