ACCRA, GHANA — Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has suffered a major legal setback after the High Court in Accra dismissed his GH¢15 million defamation lawsuit against the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi.

The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, brings an unexpected end to the proceedings initiated by the Effutu Member of Parliament over allegations he considered damaging to his reputation.

According to reports, the High Court’s General Jurisdiction 1 ruled that the writ initiating the lawsuit was incurably defective and legally incompetent, making it incapable of properly invoking the court’s jurisdiction.

How the GH¢15 Million Legal Battle Began

The controversy began following Sammy Gyamfi’s appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on August 22, 2026.
During discussions surrounding the Ghana Gold Board and the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, Gyamfi allegedly described Afenyo-Markin as an “extortionist.”

The Minority Leader strongly rejected the accusation, maintaining that the remarks were false and capable of damaging his political and professional reputation.

On August 24, 2026, Afenyo-Markin initiated legal proceedings against Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited, demanding GH¢15 million in compensation.

He also sought a public apology, a complete retraction of the alleged defamatory statements and an injunction preventing their further publication.

High Court Delivers Major Setback

In its ruling, the court determined that the legal action suffered from fundamental procedural defects.
The judge referenced established legal authorities, including Coleman v Newmont and Owusu Domena, in addressing the applicable procedural requirements and the timely raising of objections.

Consequently, the court dismissed the proceedings without determining whether Gyamfi’s controversial statements actually constituted defamation.

The decision means that Afenyo-Markin’s GH¢15 million claim has not succeeded under the writ presented to the court.

Political Showdown Takes Another Twist

The dispute had already attracted considerable public attention, particularly after lawyers representing both parties disagreed over the service of court documents.

Wednesday’s ruling represents a significant development in the legal confrontation between two prominent figures in Ghanaian politics.