General News
Afenyo-Markin sues Sammy Gyamfi and Multimedia Group over alleged defamatory remarks
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.