Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has initiated a legal action at the High Court in Accra against popular media personality, Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa, known widely as Afia Schwarzenegger, over what he describes as false and damaging claims made about him on social media.
The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, July 23, follows a viral video in which Afia Schwarzenegger allegedly made serious allegations about Mr. Gyamfi’s personal life, including claims that he had purchased property in the United States for his wife and her sister, and that he was involved in extramarital affairs with female students at the University of Ghana.
She also purportedly stated that he had bought cars for these alleged partners, attempting to link his family to unexplained wealth abroad.
Mr. Gyamfi, who is also a lawyer and prominent political figure, has denied all the allegations described in the video. According to his statement of claim, he has never purchased property overseas for his wife or any of her relatives and emphasized that his wife has no sibling by the name mentioned in the viral content.
He further dismissed as entirely fabricated the assertions that he maintains romantic relationships with university students or has given out luxury vehicles to any women.
Describing the video as not only false but also malicious, Mr. Gyamfi argues that the comments were made with the deliberate intent to tarnish his personal and professional reputation.
He said the allegations have caused significant personal distress and exposed him to negative public attention, including inquiries from international associates, political contacts, and members of his family.
His legal team, led by Saani Mahmoud Abdul-Rasheed of Sustineri Attorneys PRUC, is seeking a number of remedies from the court. These include a declaration that the statements are defamatory, an order for general and exemplary damages amounting to GH¢10 million, and a perpetual injunction to prevent Afia Schwarzenegger from repeating or republishing the claims.
The suit also asks the court to compel the defendant to issue a public apology and a full retraction of the statements, which Mr. Gyamfi wants published in three consecutive editions of the Daily Graphic as well as on TikTok and any other digital platforms where the original video appeared.
Legal fees and any further relief deemed appropriate by the court are also part of the reliefs being sought.
The case is currently before the High Court awaiting further proceedings.