Minority Leader Sues GoldBod CEO, Multimedia Group Over Alleged Defamation

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has filed a defamation suit at the High Court in Accra against the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Samuel Adu Gyamfi, also known as Sammy Gyamfi, and the Multimedia Group Limited.

The suit, filed at the High Court of Justice, General Jurisdiction, Accra, is in respect of comments allegedly made by the 1st Defendant on the August 22, 2026 edition of a programme.

According to the Statement of Claim, the Plaintiff, who describes himself as a Ghanaian citizen, legal practitioner, fourth-term Member of Parliament, former Majority Leader and currently Minority Leader, and a traditional leader in the Effutu Traditional Area, says his reputation for integrity and professionalism culminated in his election as Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Background
The claim states that on Saturday, August 22, 2026, the 1st Defendant appeared as a discussant on Newsfile and, in response to a question from the host about why GoldBod applauds itself for making profit but denies losses as its liability, veered into an attack on the Plaintiff, describing him derogatorily as an extortionist.

The Plaintiff contends that the 1st Defendant justified the description by claiming he seldom attacks his critics and that it was the first time he was calling someone an extortionist because it was true.

The writ further alleges that the 1st Defendant dared the Plaintiff to sue him and castigated NPP supporters of the Plaintiff as ignorant of his activities.

The Plaintiff states that out of an abundance of caution, the host offered the 1st Defendant the opportunity to confirm his stance, and later rendered what the Plaintiff describes as a frantic apology, but that the 1st Defendant himself rendered no apology.

Particulars of Defamation and Malice
The Plaintiff argues that the categorical statement that he is an extortionist, without stating when, where and from whom, fits squarely into defamation.

He further contends that the claim that there are underlying issues without disclosing same makes the attack baseless, and that the self-presumption that because he has never called anyone an extortionist before makes it true is fallacious.

The writ avers that the words have been understood to mean that the Plaintiff is an extortionist, habitually engages in extortion, uses his political position to mount improper pressure on public institutions, engages in secret negotiations for improper purposes, improperly intervenes in the affairs of public institutions, abuses his influence as a public figure, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with honesty and integrity expected of a legal practitioner and public office holder.

The Plaintiff avers that the words are false, stating that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in extortion, and that the publication was actuated by malice, including the deliberate use of the word “extortionist” because of his criticism of the financial losses of GoldBod, repetition after caution, repeated assertion that he possesses evidence, and presentation as established fact rather than opinion.

The Plaintiff further claims that the defamatory statements have been widely circulated on social media platforms including X, Facebook and YouTube, reaching a substantial number of persons and exposing him to hatred, ridicule and contempt, causing serious injury to his character and professional standing.

Regarding the 2nd Defendant, the Plaintiff avers that the defamatory words were broadcast through its TV station during Newsfile and that it published and facilitated publication to its audience, and took no steps to stop the 1st Defendant or deactivate his microphone.

Reliefs Sought
The Plaintiff is therefore claiming against the Defendants jointly and severally general damages for libel, aggravated damages, exemplary damages, an order directing the Defendants to publish a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction of the defamatory statements, and an order directing them to publish a full, unconditional and unequivocal public apology to the Plaintiff.

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