The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced an assessment of allegations of extortion involving the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, following the submission of three separate petitions concerning the matter.

The anti-corruption agency said it had received a joint petition from two individuals, alongside two additional petitions submitted independently by other persons. All three petitions relate to allegations made publicly by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, against the Minority Leader.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 24, the OSP said it had taken note of the allegations and would first determine whether the matter falls within the office’s legal mandate.

The assessment, according to the OSP, will also help establish whether there are sufficient grounds for any further investigative action.

The development adds another dimension to an increasingly public disagreement between Mr Gyamfi and Mr Afenyo-Markin.

Mr Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of extortion, an allegation Mr Afenyo-Markin has rejected. The Minority Leader has also indicated that he intends to pursue legal action in response to the claims.

The dispute has unfolded alongside a broader disagreement over alleged financial losses linked to the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

Mr Gyamfi has made claims involving approximately GH¢22 billion, said to be equivalent to about US$1.7 billion, in losses allegedly connected to the programme in 2025.

Meanwhile, the United Party has separately called for an investigation into the extortion allegations.

The party has petitioned the Attorney-General as well as other anti-corruption and security institutions to examine the claims involving Mr Afenyo-Markin.

The petition was submitted by the party’s Communications Director, Solomon Owusu, and its Legal Director, Andrew Appiah-Danquah.

With the OSP now assessing the petitions, attention is expected to focus on whether the allegations meet the threshold for the office to exercise its investigative powers.

For now, the OSP has not indicated that a formal investigation has been opened against Mr Afenyo-Markin, stressing that the current process is an assessment to determine the appropriate next steps.