{
  "id": 3457623,
  "title": "We need leaders with integrity – Dramani warns amidst extortion allegations against Afenyo-Markin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/we-need-leaders-with-integrity-dramani-warns-amidst-extortion",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T07:20:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/we-need-leaders-with-integrity-dramani-warns-amidst-extortion-allegations-against-afenyo-markin/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr Rasheed Dramani, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, has called for greater integrity among leaders in Parliament amidst allegations against Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Dramani urged the institution to take such claims seriously, stating that failure to investigate them could further erode public trust. He emphasized the importance of leaders demonstrating high ethical standards, particularly in a supermajority government, warning that the focus should be on the office rather than the individual member.\n\nDramani criticized the tendency for partisan solidarity to override accountability, noting that caucuses often rally behind accused MPs without thoroughly examining the allegations. He questioned whether Parliament applies the same scrutiny to itself as it does to the Executive, citing the Public Accounts Committee's limited effectiveness in holding itself accountable. The political cost of investigating fellow MPs, including the desire to maintain relationships and maintain networks, also poses a challenge, according to Dramani.\n\nThe controversy surrounding Afenyo-Markin began when GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi alleged that he was an \"extortionist,\" prompting a strong response from the Minority Leader who rejected the claim and threatened legal action. This dispute has escalated into a legal confrontation, with the Office of the Special Prosecutor conducting a preliminary assessment of related allegations to determine whether to open a full-scale investigation. Dramani stressed the need for Parliament to establish a clear process for handling allegations, from investigation to resolution, and welcomed Afenyo-Markin’s decision to pursue legal action. He proposed a committee comprising MPs and eminent Ghanaians, if not an external investigative body, to improve Parliament's image in the eyes of the public and ensure a definitive outcome.",
  "summary": "Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Rasheed Dramani, has urged Parliament to take allegations involving its members seriously. He warned that its failure to properly investigate such claims could deepen public mistrust of the institution. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Dr Dramani said that his concern, when the latest controversy emerged, […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Parliament is in crisis of confidence – CDD’s Osae-Kwapong warns fresh allegations could ceepen public distrust",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/parliament-is-in-crisis-of-confidence-cdds-osae-kwapong-warns-fresh",
        "published": "2026-08-26T03:32:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}