IGP, CID, OSP, AG petitioned to investigate Afenyo-Markin over $1m extortion allegations

Two leading members of the Unity Party, Solomon Owusu and Andrew Appiah-Danquah, have petitioned several investigative bodies of the country to probe the allegation of extortion made against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi.

Solomon Owusu, Director of Communications and Spokesperson of the United Party, and Andrew Appiah-Danquah, Director of Legal and Constitutional Affairs of the party, in their joint petition, which was filed at six investigative bodies, indicated that the investigation was necessary because of the gravity of the allegation.

They argued that the allegation against the Minority Leader, including the claim that he demanded $1 million, must be investigated as part of efforts to fight corruption.

“We, the undersigned, Solomon Owusu, Director of Communications and Spokesperson of the United Party, and Andrew Appiah-Danquah, Director of Legal and Constitutional Affairs of the United Party, respectfully present this petition in the public interest and in furtherance of our civic and constitutional responsibility to promote accountable government, protect the integrity of public institutions and resist every form of corruption and abuse of public power.

“... The allegations concern an alleged attempt by the Honourable Afenyo Markin, either personally or acting through another person or group of persons, to obtain the sum of one million United States dollars or such other amount as an investigation may establish from Mr Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board,” part of the petition reads.

They added that their action was in line with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, including Article 218, which “enjoins every citizen to protect and preserve public property and to expose and combat the misuse and waste of public funds and property.”

'He's an extortionist!' - Sammy Gyamfi dares Afenyo-Markin

What Sammy Gyamfi said:

The Chief Executive Officer of the GoldBod defended his decision to describe Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin as an “extortionist”, insisting that the comment was based on underlying issues between the two men that are not known to the public.

Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, August 22, 2026, Gyamfi explained that he had never used the term against any of his other critics, suggesting that his choice of words was based on specific matters involving the Effutu MP.

“You see, my brother, 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 Newsfile too many times. Perhaps in this country I have held more press conferences on political issues than anybody,” he said.

“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 say anything about that, or challenge me, or threaten to sue? So, the NPP people talking; there are things you don’t know,” he added.

Read the full petition below:

BAI

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