Minority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin has been petitioned by two officials of the United Party for an investigation into an allegation that he demanded $1 million from Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi.
The petition was jointly filed by United Party Director of Communications and Spokesperson Solomon Owusu and Director of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Andrew Appiah-Danquah.
The two have submitted the petition to six investigative bodies, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Attorney-General, calling for the allegation to be thoroughly investigated.
They argued that the seriousness of the claim warranted an official inquiry, particularly as it involves a senior public official and an alleged demand for a substantial sum of money.
“We, the undersigned, Solomon Owusu, Director of Communications and Spokesperson of the United Party, and Andrew Appiah-Danquah, Director of Legal and Constitutional Affairs of the United Party, respectfully present this petition in the public interest and in furtherance of our civic and constitutional responsibility to promote accountable government, protect the integrity of public institutions and resist every form of corruption and abuse of public power,” the petition stated.
The petitioners specifically referred to the allegation that Afenyo-Markin, either directly or through another individual or group, sought to obtain $1 million or another amount that an investigation may establish from Gyamfi.
“The allegations concern an alleged attempt by the Honourable Afenyo Markin, either personally or acting through another person or group of persons, to obtain the sum of one million United States dollars or such other amount as an investigation may establish from Mr Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board,” they said.
Owusu and Appiah-Danquah said their action was grounded in their constitutional responsibility as citizens to help protect public resources and expose alleged abuse.
They cited Article 218 of the 1992 Constitution, which they said requires citizens to protect public property and help expose and combat the misuse and waste of public funds and property.
The petition follows comments by Gyamfi in which he described Afenyo-Markin as an “extortionist” amid an ongoing public dispute between the two.
Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 22, 2026, Gyamfi defended his use of the term and suggested that there were broader issues between him and the Effutu MP that had not been made public.
“You see, my brother, there are many underlying issues between Afenyo-Markin and me that you don’t know, and those watching don’t know,” Gyamfi said.
He questioned why he would use the term against Afenyo-Markin if there were no specific circumstances behind the allegation.
“Have you ever heard me use the word extortion against any of my critics? Have you ever heard me? Why would I use this word now?” he asked.
Gyamfi also pointed out that Afenyo-Markin had not publicly challenged the allegation or threatened legal action over the description.
“So, the NPP people talking; there are things you don’t know,” he added.
The petitioners are now asking the investigative authorities to establish the facts surrounding the alleged $1 million demand and determine whether any offence was committed.
