By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi/ Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has formally authorized his lawyers to accept service of the defamation writ filed against him by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, marking a significant development in their escalating legal dispute.
The notice was filed at the High Court, General Division, Accra, following Afenyo-Markin’s decision to sue Mr Gyamfi over allegations in which the GoldBod CEO described him as an “extortionist” during the heated public debate surrounding GoldBod’s operations and the reported Bank of Ghana gold losses.
Lawyers officially authorised
According to court documents, Ayine & Partners, acting on behalf of Sammy Gyamfi, notified the Registrar of the High Court that the firm had received its client’s express instructions and authority to accept the writ of summons and all accompanying court processes.
The notice, dated August 26, 2026, was signed by lawyer Seth Nyaaba on behalf of the law firm and requested that all legal documents relating to the case be served through the firm’s chambers in East Legon, Accra.
The filing effectively informs the court that service on the law firm constitutes service on the first defendant.
How the dispute began
The legal battle stems from a series of public exchanges between Sammy Gyamfi and Alexander Afenyo-Markin over the management of Ghana’s domestic gold purchasing programme.
During a press conference and subsequent media interviews, Mr Gyamfi accused the Minority Leader of engaging in extortion and challenged him to seek legal redress if he believed the allegations were defamatory.
In response, Afenyo-Markin announced in Parliament on August 24 that he had commenced a defamation action against the GoldBod CEO, insisting that the allegations had damaged his reputation.
Defamation case moves forward
By authorising his lawyers to receive the writ, Sammy Gyamfi has formally acknowledged the commencement of the legal proceedings, allowing the High Court process to advance.
The case is expected to determine whether the statements made by the GoldBod CEO amounted to defamation under Ghanaian law and whether Afenyo-Markin is entitled to damages or other legal remedies.
Neither party has indicated any intention to pursue an out-of-court settlement, suggesting the matter is likely to proceed through the courts.
A high-profile political courtroom battle
The lawsuit has attracted widespread national attention because it involves two of Ghana’s most prominent political figures—the Minority Leader of Parliament and the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod.
Beyond the personal reputations of the individuals involved, the case is expected to test the legal boundaries of political speech, public criticism and defamation in Ghana’s democratic space.
As the High Court begins hearing the matter, both Sammy Gyamfi and Alexander Afenyo-Markin are preparing for what could become one of the country’s most closely watched legal and political battles of the year.
