Legal practitioner, Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, says the extortion allegation against the Minority Leader impugns criminality and will affect the credibility of the Minority in Parliament.
He has explained that although the allegation does not mean the Minority Leader is guilty, it also does not mean he is innocent until determined by the court.
Speaking on the BigIssue segment on TV3’s NewDay on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, he said the leadership of the Minority is crucial and must be seen as credible by Ghanaians.
“It impugns criminality and it doesn’t mean he has done that and it doesn’t mean he is also innocent,” he stated.
The lawyer explained that: “I would want to take a position where we would take the Minority very seriously. So you’re leading a Minority with this cloak of guilt or not guilty hanging on your neck and how would Ghanaians perceive any claim push out by the Minority?” he quizzed.
According to him, the perception of the public on the Minority is paramount, making the allegations against its leader an issue of concern.
“I’m just thinking about how Ghanaians will perceive the Minority. You’re leading a Minority with a cloak of this allegation is not a mere allegation,” he added.
He noted that the court case will not be a day’s journey and the perception will linger throughout its duration, making him advise the Minority Leader to reconsider his position within the period.
His comments come on the back of a suit filed by the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, against the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi and others, for labelling him an extortionist.
The Effutu lawmaker made announcement of the suit in Parliament on Monday, August 24.
“Mr Speaker, in the face of the allegations of extortion leveled against me, I have chosen, I have chosen to take high moral ground by submitting myself to the processes of the law. I have accordingly caused writs to be filed in suit number GT 1029/2026, entitled Osahene Alexander Ofenyo-Markin versus Samuel Adu Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited, at the Accra High Court, in suit number GR/ACH/CC/C5/02/2026, titled Osahene Alexander Ofenyo-Markin versus Eric Adjei and Peace FM, Achimota Circuit Court,” he announced.
According to him, “he has every confidence that in the fullness of time, the court will make the appropriate determination on these matters.”
The Minority Leader further urged his accusers to report the matter to the law enforcement agencies.
“Mr. Speaker, I also await with bated breath that the man or the men who made the allegation will have the courage to report the matter to the police or the OSP or any investigating agency in this country and I expect that if they must have the courage to report that I have extorted from them and I am invited, I shall submit myself to every investigation so that eventually my name is cleared,” he stated.
“There is, Mr. Speaker, there is a limit to political discourse. There are lines that must not be crossed and these red lines, once crossed, they must be dealt with,” Afenyo-Markin warned.
READ FULL WRIT OF SUMMONS ( OSAHENE ALEXANDER AFENYO-MARKIN here.
The suit comes a day after Afenyo-Markin gave the indication that he will not pursue legal action. While on JoyNews on Sunday, August 23, the Effutu lawmaker declined to commit to legal action and instead invoked the biblical example of Jesus Christ, who chose to remain silent when accused.
“I have made certain statements. I would rely on them without more. Don’t rush. In the Bible, Jesus was accused; wild allegations. He kept quiet and watched them. He could have done anything,” he said.
According to the MP, much is expected of him in the position he occupies, and he will not allow emotions to get the better of him in such times.
“But you see, when you are dealing with situations, the people of Ghana expect a certain level of maturity from me. The people of Ghana see that this is an accomplished businessman. He’s been in the space for some time. He’s leading a group. The tradition of the party NPP that I lead expects a certain level of conduct,” he noted.
He reiterated what he said in his Facebook post earlier—that the attacks were meant to divert attention from the real issues surrounding the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP), a ploy he said he would not fall for.
“So, if I would be carried away with emotions, I would fail. It’s not an emotional game. It’s not a game that somebody attacks you, you should also react. No, you won’t get it,” he said.
However, he made a u-turn on Monday, suing Sammy Gyamfi and two other media houses.
Background
The development follows a war of words between Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi over the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).
Afenyo-Markin has raised concerns about reported losses under the DGPP and questioned GoldBod’s role in the transactions, calling for transparency and accountability.
Gyamfi, in response, allegedly described the Minority Leader as an “extortionist”—a comment the Effutu MP said was defamatory.
He threatened legal action in a Facebook post but softened his stance afterwards, declining to commit to a lawsuit. He had indicated that the attacks were a bait to divert attention from the substantive issues, invoking Jesus Christ, whom he said remained silent despite numerous allegations levelled against him.
Afenyo-Markin, Sammy Gyamfi fracas will erode goodwill of both parties – Kpebu
