OSP to assess extortion allegations against Afenyo-Markin

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has stepped into the growing controversy surrounding extortion allegations made against Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin by Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.

The anti-corruption agency says it has received three petitions in connection with the allegations and will now assess the matter to determine whether it warrants further action.

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In a public notice issued on Monday, August 24, the OSP said it had taken note of the allegations made by Gyamfi against the Effutu MP.

“The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken note of public allegations of extortion and related conduct made by the Chief Executive of Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin,” the statement stated.

The OSP further disclosed that petitions had been submitted seeking action over the matter.

“The OSP also acknowledges a joint petition submitted by two persons, as well as two separate petitions submitted by other persons, in relation to the allegations,” it said.

The development comes amid a public dispute between Afenyo-Markin and Gyamfi, with the GoldBod CEO accusing the Minority Leader of extortion and related conduct.

Afenyo-Markin has rejected the allegations and had earlier threatened to pursue legal remedies over what he described as defamatory claims.

However, he later adopted a more measured position when asked whether he would take Gyamfi to court, saying he would not allow the controversy to distract him from the Minority’s scrutiny of GoldBod and the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

For now, the OSP has not said that it has opened a full investigation into Afenyo-Markin.

Rather, it says the first step is to determine whether the allegations fall within its mandate and whether there are grounds for further investigative action.

“Given the nature of the allegations, the OSP will assess the case and determine whether it falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted,” the statement said.

The notice therefore does not establish any wrongdoing against Afenyo-Markin but places the allegations before the country's specialised anti-corruption agency for assessment.

The OSP's move adds another layer to the growing controversy, which has unfolded alongside the Minority's demands for answers over reported losses associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

For now, attention is on what the OSP's assessment will reveal and whether the allegations and petitions will lead to a formal investigation.

Read the full statement below



NA/AM