The High Court’s General Jurisdiction 1 has dismissed Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s GH¢15 million defamation suit against Ghana Gold Board Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi.
The court ruled that the writ was incurably defective and incompetent, finding that it could not properly invoke the court’s jurisdiction.
In reaching its decision, the court relied on Coleman v Newmont regarding the applicable procedural rule and Owusu Domena on the need to raise objections promptly.
The ruling brings proceedings under the defective writ to an end. However, it addresses the procedural validity of the action and does not determine whether the statements complained of were defamatory.
Background to the lawsuit
Mr Afenyo-Markin announced the legal action in Parliament on August 24, 2026, following allegations of extortion made against him amid a dispute involving the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The suit also named Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant.
The Minority Leader maintained that the allegations were false and intended to damage his reputation, prompting him to seek GH¢15 million in damages.
Dispute over service of court documents
The case also generated disagreement over the service of the writ.
Mr Gyamfi authorised his lawyers, Ayine & Partners, to accept the court documents. Mr Afenyo-Markin’s lawyers subsequently maintained that service had been completed and rejected claims that their client was avoiding the process.
The court’s latest decision rests on the procedural defects identified in the writ and does not constitute a finding on the merits of the underlying defamation allegations.
