OSP Ghana: Assesses Sammy Gyamfi Afenyo-Markin Extortion Allegations

• Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) will assess extortion allegations made by Sammy Gyamfi against Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
• The OSP received multiple petitions regarding the claims, which have garnered significant public attention.
• The assessment will first determine if the case falls within the OSP's statutory mandate before deciding on further investigative action.
• Alexander Afenyo-Markin initially threatened legal action but later adopted a more measured tone, declining to commit to a lawsuit.

Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor the OSP's assessment of its statutory mandate in this case.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in Ghana has publicly announced its intention to scrutinize allegations of extortion and related misconduct. These claims were brought forward by Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), targeting Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who serves as the Majority Leader in Parliament. The OSP's decision, communicated via a press release on Monday, August 24, 2026, follows significant public attention surrounding the accusations and the submission of multiple petitions to the anti-corruption agency. The OSP is a specialized independent anti-corruption agency established in Ghana in 2018, tasked with investigating and prosecuting corruption-related offenses.

Specifically, the OSP confirmed receiving a joint petition from two individuals, alongside two additional, separate petitions, all pertaining to the same matter. This development signals the Office of the Special Prosecutor Ghana's active role in evaluating high-profile corruption allegations against public officials. The allegations against Alexander Afenyo-Markin, portraying him as an "extortionist," initially prompted a strong reaction from the Majority Leader.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin had initially indicated on social media that he would pursue legal remedies for what he deemed defamatory statements. However, his stance softened considerably less than 24 hours later. During an interview on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday evening, August 23, 2026, he declined to commit to legal action, instead drawing a parallel to the biblical figure of Jesus Christ, who he noted remained silent despite facing accusations. He further explained that as Majority Leader, he was mindful of the expectations placed upon him and would not allow emotional responses to guide his actions in the face of these attacks.

The OSP has outlined a clear, two-stage process for its engagement with these allegations. The initial phase will involve a thorough examination of the nature and substance of the claims presented by Sammy Gyamfi and detailed in the various petitions. This critical first step aims to ascertain the factual basis and gravity of the accusations.

Following this preliminary review, the OSP will undertake a crucial OSP statutory mandate assessment. This involves determining whether the case falls within the defined scope of its legal authority and functions. Only after establishing jurisdiction will the Office of the Special Prosecutor proceed to decide if the circumstances disclosed in the allegations and petitions provide sufficient grounds to warrant further, more extensive investigative action. This structured approach underscores the OSP's commitment to due process and adherence to its legal framework in addressing the Alexander Afenyo-Markin extortion claims.

This ongoing assessment by the Office of the Special Prosecutor Ghana holds significant implications for the nation's broader anti-corruption efforts. The OSP's decision on whether to pursue a full Ghana anti-corruption investigation into the Sammy Gyamfi Gold Board allegations could establish an important precedent regarding the types of cases the institution is prepared to handle and the extent of its investigative powers.

Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor the OSP's assessment of its statutory mandate in this case. The outcome will not only impact future anti-corruption enforcement strategies but also influence risk assessments for clients involved in public sector dealings across Ghana. The OSP's handling of these high-profile allegations will serve as a key indicator of its operational independence and its resolve in tackling corruption at the highest levels of government.

This development signals the Office of the Special Prosecutor's (OSP) active role in evaluating high-profile corruption allegations against public officials in Ghana. Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the OSP's assessment of its statutory mandate in this case, as it could set a precedent for the types of cases the OSP will pursue and the scope of its investigative powers, impacting future anti-corruption enforcement and risk assessments for clients involved in public sector dealings.

Source: Original reporting via Emmanuel Tetteh