NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye has called on the Minority in Parliament to intensify efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the reported US$1.7 billion loss linked to Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Nana Boakye said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would not back down from its demand for accountability until all questions surrounding the reported loss are fully answered and subjected to public scrutiny.

“We are not backing off. Not now, not tomorrow, not until every question is answered in full, and in public, and under proper scrutiny,” he said.

He urged the Minority Leader and members of the NPP parliamentary caucus to make use of every available parliamentary procedure to demand explanations from the government and relevant institutions involved in the programme.

According to him, Parliament must deploy all appropriate mechanisms, including parliamentary questions, committee hearings, requests for documents, order papers and points of order, to establish what happened.

“Use every relevant law in the books, every question on the floor of Parliament, every committee hearing, every request for documents, every order paper, every point of order,” Nana Boakye said.

He also urged the Minority to continue pursuing the matter in the public domain to ensure that Ghanaians receive detailed explanations about the reported loss.

“Fight for the people of Ghana in the court of public opinion as well. Fight until the Ghanaian people receive all the answers they deserve—in writing, under oath if necessary,” he added.

The NPP’s position follows the reported assessment by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of a US$1.7 billion loss associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

The party says the reported loss raises concerns about the management of transactions under the programme and its implications for public finances.

Nana Boakye maintained that the NPP would continue using Parliament and other appropriate channels to pursue answers on the matter.

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.

The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as Ayitey Powers, over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.

According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, following the circulation of a video on social media in which he is alleged to have issued the threat.

The Police said Ayitey Powers is currently in custody and assisting with investigations as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat.

The Accra Regional Police Command said it would take appropriate action in accordance with the law after completing its investigations.

The Command has also urged the public to refrain from circulating unverified information about the incident while the investigation remains ongoing.

The arrest comes days after the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC) called on the Police to investigate and take legal action against Ayitey Powers over alleged death threats directed at the NSA Director-General. The committee had described such threats against a public official as unacceptable and announced disciplinary proceedings against the former boxer.