Alexander Afenyo-Markin loses GH₵15m defamation case on procedural grounds

The Accra High Court has dismissed a GH₵15 million defamation lawsuit filed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin against Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board. The presiding judge struck out the case based on procedural defects, ruling that the writ of summons was fundamentally flawed and failed to meet the specific legal requirements necessary for a libel action. This legal setback stems from a public broadcast in which Gyamfi allegedly characterized Afenyo-Markin as an "extortionist."

The dispute originates from comments Gyamfi made regarding financial losses related to the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme. In response to being labeled an extortionist, Afenyo-Markin sought GH₵15 million in damages to compensate for the alleged harm to his reputation. However, the court's recent ruling did not address the substance of Gyamfi's claims, focusing instead on the technical failures of the filing. The court highlighted that specific compliance rules for libel cases were not met, meaning the proceedings could not continue under the current writ.

Following the court’s decision, the Minority Leader has faced internal pressure from within the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Private legal practitioner and NPP member Ross Osei Owusu has called for Afenyo-Markin to step down from his leadership position if he is unable to legally clear his name. Owusu stressed the necessity of a full exoneration, arguing that the allegations of extortion are too serious to remain unaddressed. This development has become a significant topic of national debate, featuring prominently on current affairs programs such as JoyNews’ Newsfile.

While the current suit has been thrown out, the legal path remains open for Afenyo-Markin to correct the procedural errors and refile the action. The case continues to draw public attention to the broader issues of political accountability and the conduct of state officials. As the Minority Leader evaluates his next steps, the political implications of the unresolved allegations remain a point of contention during the current administration of President John Mahama.