Alexander Afenyo-Markin has GH₵15m suit against Sammy Gyamfi dismissed

The Accra High Court has dismissed a GH₵15 million defamation lawsuit filed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin against Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In a ruling delivered on October 14, 2026, the court cited procedural non-compliance as the basis for throwing out the case. The presiding judge noted that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient particulars regarding the alleged defamatory statements, which is a fundamental requirement for such legal actions to proceed.

The legal dispute originated from public remarks made by Mr. Gyamfi, who reportedly labeled the Effutu Member of Parliament an "extortionist." In his suit, Mr. Afenyo-Markin sought GH₵15 million in damages, contending that the description was malicious and intended to harm his political and professional reputation. However, the court found that the suit lacked the specific details required by law to sustain a defamation claim, leading to its dismissal before the merits of the case could be adjudicated.

Following the court's decision, the NDC’s Deputy National Communications Officer, Julius Kwame Anthony, called on the Minority Leader to rectify the legal errors and refile the suit if he wishes to clear his name. Mr. Anthony suggested that instead of appealing the decision on technical grounds, Mr. Afenyo-Markin should initiate a fresh action that meets the court’s requirements to prove that the allegations made by Mr. Gyamfi were false. He argued that the dismissal, if left unaddressed by a substantive trial, would leave the extortion allegations hanging over the lawmaker.

In a message of resilience following the ruling, Alexander Afenyo-Markin shared a note of solidarity from the Anlo community in his Effutu constituency. During a local visit, he emphasized themes of loyalty and protection, suggesting that the support of his constituents remains firm despite the legal setback. While the ruling has sparked varied reactions online, it remains to be seen whether the Minority Leader will pursue an appeal or file a new, more detailed lawsuit to address the underlying defamation claims.