OSP to Assess Extortion Allegations Against Afenyo-Markin After Receiving Three Petitions
Anti-corruption agency says it will determine whether Sammy Gyamfi’s claims fall within its legal mandate before deciding on a formal investigation
By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi/ Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
August 24, 2026
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that it will conduct a preliminary assessment of extortion allegations made by Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi against Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
In a public notice issued on Monday, the OSP confirmed that it has received three petitions relating to the allegations—one joint petition submitted by two individuals and two separate petitions filed by other persons. The anti-corruption agency said the petitions have prompted it to examine whether the matter falls within its statutory mandate.
OSP begins preliminary assessment
According to the Special Prosecutor, the current stage is not a criminal investigation but an initial assessment to determine whether the allegations warrant 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 agency said in its statement.
The OSP stressed that receiving the petitions does not amount to a finding that the allegations are true or that any individual has committed wrongdoing. Its assessment will determine the appropriate next steps under Ghana’s anti-corruption laws.
Background to the dispute
The controversy stems from a heated public exchange between Sammy Gyamfi and Afenyo-Markin over alleged financial losses linked to GoldBod’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
Gyamfi publicly accused the Minority Leader of attempting to extort money from him and challenged him to pursue legal action if he believed the allegations were defamatory. The accusations have since attracted widespread political attention and calls for an independent investigation.
Afenyo-Markin has denied the allegations and previously indicated that he was considering legal action. However, in a subsequent television interview, he adopted a more measured tone, saying he would not allow emotions to dictate his response while the matter remains in the public domain.
What happens next?
The OSP’s assessment will focus on two key questions:
- Whether the allegations fall within the Office’s legal jurisdiction.
- Whether the petitions disclose sufficient grounds to justify a full investigation.
Only after completing that preliminary review will the Special Prosecutor decide whether to open a formal investigation into the allegations.
The development marks the latest chapter in the escalating GoldBod controversy, which continues to fuel intense political debate over accountability, public finance and governance in Ghana.
