Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin and Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi Clash Over Legal Service in Defamation Suit

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, are embroiled in an intensifying legal battle following a defamation suit filed by the lawmaker. Lawyers for Afenyo-Markin, Dehyena Chambers, have publicly dismissed claims that their client is evading service or that Gyamfi has not been properly notified of the proceedings. The dispute centers on comments made by Gyamfi during a media appearance on JoyNews, where he allegedly described Afenyo-Markin as an "extortionist" in relation to the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).

The procedural conflict began shortly after Afenyo-Markin announced the legal action in Parliament on August 24, 2026. Initially, Gyamfi appeared ready for the legal challenge, with his lawyers at Ayine & Partners formally notifying the High Court of their authority to accept the writ and accompanying documents on his behalf. However, the situation grew complex on August 26 when Gyamfi's legal team reportedly returned the served documents to the court registry, claiming their client had withdrawn his authorization for them to accept service. Subsequent attempts by a court bailiff to serve Gyamfi personally were also reported as unsuccessful.

Afenyo-Markin’s legal team maintains that the service remains valid under Ghana’s civil procedure rules. They argue that once a defendant’s counsel accepts service with express authority, the legal requirement is met, regardless of a subsequent change of heart by the defendant. Dehyena Chambers emphasized that the return of the writ does not invalidate the initial acceptance. The Minority Leader is seeking several reliefs from the court, including general damages for defamation, a formal retraction of the "extortionist" comments, and a permanent injunction to prevent Gyamfi from making further defamatory statements against him.

This legal confrontation underscores the growing political tensions surrounding the management and reported losses associated with the gold sector. While Gyamfi’s lawyers have clarified that their initial willingness to accept the writ did not constitute an admission of guilt, the back-and-forth over legal service has added a new layer of friction to the public dispute. As both parties prepare for a court showdown, the case is expected to draw significant public interest, highlighting the intersection of corporate governance at the Gold Board and political accountability within the Ghanaian legislature.