Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr Ayew Afriye, has sued Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah and the Glorious Word Power Ministry International over alleged defamatory statements made against him during a church service.
Dr Ayew Afriye, a medical practitioner and three-term NPP Member of Parliament, is seeking GH¢10 million in damages, as well as an order compelling the defendants to retract the statements and render an unqualified apology.
The suit was filed at the High Court in Accra on September 11, 2026, by his lawyers, Kwasi Asokwa Boateng of Ohene Gyan & Associates.
Also read: Front Pages: Top newspaper headlines for Wednesday, 16th September, 2026
According to the statement of claim, the alleged defamatory comments were made by Rev Owusu Bempah on September 6, 2026, at the premises of the Glorious Word Power Ministry International.
Dr Ayew Afriye claims that Rev Owusu Bempah used the platform of the church to accuse him and other NPP figures of a plot to mobilize the NPP Nasara club to attack the pastor and his church during a service.
The statement of claim says Rev Owusu Bempah allegedly named Dr Ayew Afriye alongside Anthony Abayifa Karbo, Sammy Awuku and Opare Ansah as persons involved in what he described as a plan to cause harm.
The court document quotes Rev Owusu Bempah as alleging that some NPP members were planning to bring two busloads of thugs to join others in Accra and forcefully enter the church premises.
The plaintiff contends that the allegations are false and were made with the intention of tarnishing his reputation and subjecting him to public ridicule.
Dr Ayew Afriye, according to the statement of claim, denies conspiring with anyone or engaging any group to attack Rev Owusu Bempah or his church.
He maintains that he has never attacked, threatened or planned an attack against the pastor.
The MP argues that the statements have damaged his reputation as a medical practitioner, parliamentarian and public figure.
He further claims that the allegations have affected his political standing in the Effiduase-Asokore Constituency, particularly as he may seek re-election in the 2028 general elections.
The statement of claim says some potential voters have allegedly begun avoiding his company because of the remarks.
Dr Ayew Afriye also claims that the alleged statements were published on social media platforms, thereby extending their reach beyond the church congregation.
The plaintiff says he subsequently issued a warning to Rev Owusu Bempah on social media and advised him to retract the allegations and apologise if he could not provide evidence to substantiate them.
According to the claim, Rev Owusu Bempah allegedly responded on another social media platform by challenging Dr Ayew Afriyie and others to proceed with legal action.
The plaintiff consequently argues that the defendants have refused to withdraw the statements or apologise.
He further claims that the church, as the platform on which the alleged statements were made, has not dissociated itself from the remarks or issued any apology.
In addition to the GH¢10 million in damages, Dr Ayew Afriye is asking the High Court for a declaration that the statements published on September 6, 2026, were defamatory.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to retract the statements and issue an unqualified apology on the same platforms on which the alleged defamatory remarks were published.
The plaintiff wants the apology to remain published for 14 days.
He is further seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from making or causing to be published similar defamatory statements against him.
The plaintiff is also asking for costs, including his legal fees.