Sue me if you can – Sammy Gyamfi dares Afenyo-Markin over ‘extortionist’ tag
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has dared Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to sue him over his description of the legislator as an “extortionist.”
Mr Gyamfi says he is prepared to defend the allegation in court and has challenged the Minority Leader to take legal action if he believes the statement is defamatory.
The row comes amid an escalating dispute between the two over reported losses of GH¢22 billion, equivalent to about US$1.7 billion, associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) in 2025.Mr Afenyo-Markin has questioned the reported losses and demanded accountability from GoldBod, with the Minority Caucus calling for a Parliamentary Inquiry into the matter.
Mr Gyamfi, however, has accused the Minority Leader of pursuing a smear campaign against the institution.
During government’s Accountability Series, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo-Markin’s actions as “a desperate smear campaign by persons who have specialised in sophistry and political blackmail in pursuit of selfish ends.”
“These are devious extortionists who will come at you with lies to tarnish your reputation in the hope that you will fold and settle for what they call compulsory arbitration and oil their palms,” he said.
Speaking in an interview on Joy News on Saturday, August 22, Mr Gyamfi insisted his use of the word “extortion” was grounded in facts.
“There are many underlying issues between Afenyo-Markin and me that you don’t know and those watching don’t know. I have appeared on the News File too many times… Have you ever heard me use the word extortion against any of my critics? Have you ever heard me? Why would I use this word now? And why have you not heard Afenyo-Markin say anything about that or challenge me or threaten to sue?” he questioned.
“I’m a consummate Democrat. I eat and drink debates. I’m not worried if you criticise him. [He’s extortionist] Yes. And that is why he cannot comment on that or even challenge me. He cannot. Because he knows that what I said is true,” Mr Gyamfi added.
The GoldBod CEO proposed a joint media appearance with the Minority Leader to allow both sides to defend their positions.
“Or tell him that you’ll give him an interview here and Sammy Gyamfi will come and that you should dare Sammy Gyamfi,” he said.
He maintained his comments were not intended as an insult but reflected what he described as facts surrounding the dispute.
“That is not an insult. I’m speaking about what has happened, and he knows,” Mr Gyamfi said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin, in a separate statement on Friday, had described the past week as one marked by insults and personal attacks and said he intends to pursue appropriate legal remedies over defamatory statements made against him.
About The Author
