Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu has highlighted Article 286 (4), stating that if the former Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Cecilia Dapaah cannot explain the source of the money allegedly stolen from her house, she could lose it.
The article specifies that if the money cannot be attributed to income, loan, gift, or inheritance, then it is not considered hers, leading to its forfeiture.
While Mr. Kpebu acknowledged that the matter was not perfect, he expressed that the state recovering the money was not a negative outcome.
He emphasized the importance of investigating the case to address concerns of bribery and corruption, which are the primary suspicions of citizens. If there is no evidence but the source of the money remains unexplained, it could result in its loss.
Mr. Kpebu also stated that public commentary surrounding the alleged stolen monies played a crucial role in compelling the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to carry out its investigation thoroughly.
The public’s expression of anger and discussion of the scandal served as an incentive for the OSP to work diligently, leaving no room for mistakes or delays in the process.
Private legal practitioner, Samson Lardy Anyenini, has raised doubts about the former Sanitation and Water Resources Minister’s justification for contesting media reports regarding the amount of money stolen from her residence after her resignation.
On Friday, media reports surfaced indicating that two housemaids who were employed by the former minister and her husband are currently facing trial, along with others, for the theft of significant sums of money and various items from their home.
The charge sheet states that the two housemaids, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, are accused of stealing US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis between July and October 2022.
The stolen items allegedly include clothes, handbags, perfumes, jewelry, kente cloth, and suits belonging to the former minister’s husband, valued at thousands of dollars.
Following the publishing, Cecilia Dapaah has drawn criticism from the general population. Surprisingly, she has questioned the purported theft figures, stating that there are “noticeable inconsistencies” between what she reported to the police and the conversations about the supposed theft.
“Whereas I can state emphatically that those figures do not represent correctly what my husband and I reported to the Police, I am very much aware of the import of such stories around someone in my position,” she said in her resignation letter.
On July 24, Samson Anyenini claimed during an appearance on Joy FM’s Super Mr that the charge sheet has already been altered twice and wouldn’t be shocked if if the charge sheet were revised to state that only $1 had been taken.
He claims that the charge sheet is typically presented to the complainant(s) for any corrections or other changes before the police take a case to court.
“Well, when you make a complaint to the Police and they are about to file your charges in the court, they normally will check with you because there are times that certain errors are made and sometimes they even put the matter in court before you discover that they have made some errors and their attention is drawn and they go back and make the necessary corrections and do what we call an amendment.”
“In this case in particular, the 10 count charge sheet that was put in the court, it has been amended twice. There was an amendment on June 5, and the latest amendment was on June 20. So I don’t know why any correction that has to be made is still outstanding. So, it has been amended two times from the original amendment from the documentation that we have seen so far, and in the amendments, the first figure of a million dollars has never changed in any of the amendments, the second figure €300,000 never changed.”
“I think part of the money said to have been given to the boyfriend that appeared to be have been changed to the current amount that it is. So I don’t know what inconsistencies she is talking about. And the Police would have checked with you for something that they would have amended twice in respect of the figures. So I don’t know what they are talking about that there some inconsistencies with what was reported to the Police and what is on the charge sheet.”
“It is absolutely up to them to determine whether they want to go and do further amendments and reduce the $1 million to $1. That is up to them, if it’s $1 that has been stolen that they are chasing,” he said.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has officially confirmed the detention of Cecilia Dapaah on suspicion of corruption and corruption-related charges.
According to a statement released by the Special Prosecutor’s office, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who stepped down from her role as Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on July 22, 2023, was apprehended by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on July 24, 2023, at 11:55 GMT.
The arrest is in connection with the alleged involvement in corrupt practices and the theft of significant amounts of money and valuable items from her residence.
The media has engaged some Ghanaians to gather their thoughts on the arrest of Cecilia Dapaah by the Special Prosecutor yesterday, July 24, 2023.
This action follows a court filing accusing two housekeepers of the former minister of stealing goods valued at $1 million, $300,000, and numerous additional millions of Ghana cedis from Cecilia Dapaah and her husband.
The Office of Special Prosecutor was commended and given the public’s support for making an arrest.
Others demanded an extensive investigation into Cecilia Dapaah‘s income and added that no honest or clean money should be stored at home rather than in the bank.
“She deserves to be arrested. The arrest is in the right direction. Whether she has resigned or not, she needs to be arrested. Even if it is her money, Ghana needed help and she could assisted but she didn’t,” one of the citizens said.
This youngman really let it all out on this Cecilia Dapaah matter.
Ghanaian Politician Clement Apaak states that the Office of the Special Prosecutor must go beyond the arrest of Cecilia Dapaah as just arresting her isn’t enough.
He questions why someone would have such a large amount of money in their house when we have banks. pic.twitter.com/PgLQYYCyNp
Former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who was detained by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has been granted bail with surety.
Her arrest came after the OSP conducted searches at both her official residence in Cantonments and her private residence in Abelemekpe.
These searches were in connection to an alleged million-dollar cash theft by housekeepers, which ultimately led to her resignation on the previous Saturday.
On Monday, July 24, 2023, Mrs. Dapaah was taken to her official residence in Cantonments for a thorough search by OSP officials. Subsequently, her residence in Abelemekpe was also searched by agents of the Special Prosecutor.
The specific details of the arrest and the search operations have not been disclosed yet. However, there are indications that the OSP might share updates with the public about the arrest and the outcome of the searches on Tuesday.
Although the exact findings from the searches have not been fully revealed, credible sources suggest that the OSP may have come across “something significant.”
As part of the ongoing investigation, Mrs. Dapaah’s relatives are expected to be questioned.
Moreover, she has been served with the declaration of income and property forms, indicating the seriousness of the allegations against her.
Given Mrs. Dapaah’s previous role as Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, her arrest and the subsequent searches have garnered significant attention from the nation, prompting questions and concerns among Ghanaians.
They eagerly await the OSP’s official statement regarding the developments.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor, established to combat corruption and related offenses, maintains its commitment to upholding the principles of transparency and accountability.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has declined to provide extensive comments on the matter of Cecilia Dapaah keeping huge sums of money, including one million dollars in her home.
Although Governor of the Central Bank, Ernest Addisson, condemned the move in no uncertain terms, he stated that his outfit will refrain from commenting on the matter since it is still in court.
Speaking at the 113th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press conference in Accra on Monday, July 24, Dr Addison said “It is a worry to all of us but it is matter in court so there is not much to say about it.”
On Monday, July 24, Madam Abana Dapaah was arrested by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
She is being interrogated by officers of the OSP, a statement said.
“At 11:55 GMT on 24th July 2023, Cecilia Abena Dapaah who resigned from the position of Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on 22nd July 2023 was placed under arrest by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses regarding large amounts of money and valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence. Ms Dapaah is being questioned by authorized officers of the OSP,” the OSP said in the statement.
In her resignation letter, Madam Dapaah said “I intend to cooperate fully with all the state agencies to enable them fully establish the facts.”
“I have no doubt that at the end of the processes it will be established that I have conducted myself with integrity during my period in public service and I will be fully exonerated from all the allegations,” she further said.
Madam Cecilia Dapaah was said to have kept $1 million, €300,000 and millions of undisclosed Ghana Cedis at home.
These monies were allegedly stolen by two house helps, for which they are standing trial at an Accra Circuit Court.
She had earlier indicated that there were inconsistencies with the facts and the public reports.
She, therefore, insisted in her resignation letter that the figures put out in the public domain do not correctly reflect what she and her husband submitted to the police in their statement.
The former lawmaker, however, admits she understands the import of such stories around someone of her stature.
“I am resigning, therefore, because I do not want such a matter to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time.”
The majority leader, who is the Member of Parliament for Suame, added that even though it might be ethically wrong for a minister to be keeping such an amount of money in her home, the laws of the country do not stop people from keeping money in their homes.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasised the importance of hearing the former minister’s perspective before passing any judgment.
“In Ghana now we are quick to condemn people as soon as their issues come up. We don’t listen to their side of the story. Doing this is not good for our governance process. We have to hear our sister’s side of the story before we make any judgment.
“There are some questions that have not been answered including whether she legitimately acquired the money; where the minister got the money from, and whether she has paid the required taxes.
“She has not violated any law of the country by not keeping the money in the bank if it is hers… there are no laws like that. But the government is working to create a cashless system so if a minister is keeping such an amount of money in her home, it would be like a pastor not living the gospel s/he preaches,” he said in Twi in a Neat FM interview.
Meanwhile, the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources has been arrested by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
This was contained in a statement from the Office of the Special Prosecutor dated July 24, 2023.
This arrest comes in the wake of suspicions of corruption and corruption-related offences, revolving around the alleged theft of significant amounts of money and valuable items from her residence in Accra.
Dapaah’s resignation from her ministerial post, which occurred on July 22, 2023, set off a series of investigations into the reported theft that had caused shock and concern among the public.
Two of her house helps, Patience Botwe (18) and Sarah Agyei (30), were previously charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, following the alleged incidents between July and October 2022.
During this period, items including assorted clothes worth GHC95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewellery valued at $95,000 were said to have been stolen from the former Minister’s residence in the Abelemkpe area of Accra. Patience Botwe was also accused of stealing six sets of kente cloth worth GHC90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at $3,000, which belonged to Dapaah’s husband. Furthermore, three other individuals, including Botwe’s current and former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for allegedly being involved in dishonestly receiving GHC1 million, GHC180,000, and GHC50,000, respectively.
The arrest by the Office of the Special Prosecutor indicates the gravity of the situation and the determination of authorities to investigate the alleged corruption thoroughly.
As of now, the OSP indicated Cecilia Dapaah is undergoing questioning by authorized officers of the OSP to ascertain the facts surrounding the case.
Reports coming in is that officers of the Office of the Special Prosecutor are moving to the Akpelemkpe residence of former Sanitation Minister and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah to search her home.
This comes after the former minister’s arrest today over suspicions of corruption and corruption-related offences, revolving around the alleged theft of significant amounts of money and valuable items from her aforementioned residence.
Sources say Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour have been taken along for the search in their home.
The couple is reported to have been robbed by two of their house helps in their home in Abelemkpe, Accra.
The two, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei are said to have undertaken their operation between July and October 2022.
At an Accra Circuit Court, Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
Clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000 were reportedly stolen as well.
Three other individuals have also been charged in connection with the theft being investigated.
Due to the controversy surrounding the “stolen” cash, Madam Cecilia Dapaah resigned from her position as Sanitation Minister on Sunday, July 23, 2023.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e06Xo3HY5HI
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
Former Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has reportedly had her name expunged from the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Election Committee.
Per reports, Madam Dapaah’s name has been removed from the members of the NPP Election Committee that is to supervise the party’s internal elections.
Engaging the media at the NPP headquarters on Monday, July 24, Deputy Majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who is a member of the Election Committee could not confirm the assertion.
This was contained in a statement from the Office of the Special Prosecutor dated July 24, 2023.
According to the OSP, her arrest involves suspicions of corruption and corruption-related offences, revolving around the alleged theft of significant amounts of money and valuable items from her residence in Accra.
Five individuals are facing charges for their alleged involvement in stealing millions of dollars and euros from the minister’s house at Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra.
According to Madam Dapaah, the reported amounts of money stolen in the media is inconsistent with the original complaint she filed.
According to Madam Cecilia Dapaah, she decided to resign on July 23, 2023, to prevent this matter from becoming a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time.
She also assured of her willingness to cooperate fully with all state agencies to enable them fully establish the facts.
It is expected that investigation by the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, will bring finality to the matter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e06Xo3HY5HI
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
Former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah remains in the spotlight due to an alleged theft incident involving two of her maids.
The news coverage surrounding this matter continues to attract attention and public interest. The Minister on Sunday, July 23, 2023, tendered her resignation following the vast reports in the social and traditional media.
In her letter she stated that she was resigning because she does not ” want this matter to become a preoccupation of the government and a hindrance to the work of the government at such a crucial time.”
Although the Presidency has accepted the resignation, there have been further calls for an investigation into the matter.
Member of Parliament of Tema West constituency, Carlos Ahenkorah has waded into the discourse.
In an interview on United Television (UTV), the legislator contended that the former Sanitation Minister was not strategic about the situation. He believes the Minister should have refrained from taking the case to court, considering her public image.
“One thing I would love Auntie Ceci [the Minister] to provide clarification to is how this matter got to court. My point is that you’re a politician, and even if this money was attained on a legal basis, just for the sake of your image, you don’t allow this to happen to you; you don’t take it to court.
“[Because] Once you go to court, it is public. She was not political in this matter. If she had approached the matter strategically, just for her image and where she stands, this would not have happened. It’s obvious that given her position and her image, keeping this kind of amount in your house makes it wrong. So why do you lend yourself to the public?” he questioned.
Five individuals are facing charges for their alleged involvement in stealing millions of dollars and euros from the minister’s house at Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra.
According to Madam Dapaah, the reported amounts of money stolen in the media is inconsistent with the original complaint she filed.
According to Madam Cecilia Dapaah, she decided to resign on July 23, 2023, to prevent this matter from becoming a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time.
She also assured of her willingness to cooperate fully with all state agencies to enable them fully establish the facts.
The latest development as of Monday, July 24, 223, is that the Office of the Special Prosecutor has arrested her to assist with investigations regarding the matter.
A major news figure in Ghana, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, became the subject of public interest in 2019 due to two significant aspects of her story.
It all began with an audio from the Multimedia Group, where an intern called the minister to request an interview.
In the audio, Dapaah was heard fuming, claiming disrespect for being contacted directly by an intern without proper authorization.
The public reacted strongly to the contents of the interview, leading the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to respond.
The ministry explained that the minister was in a meeting when the call came and requested the reporter to call later.
They emphasized that the minister does not intend to intimidate or show rudeness to any media personnel, acknowledging the media’s role as a key partner in national affairs.
The intern, Rahinatu Abdul Bach, a student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism at the time, shared her perspective on the matter in an opinion titled “Sanitation Minister nearly shattered my dreams – The story of a young female journalist.” She detailed feeling demeaned during the interview with Cecilia Dapaah.
Currently, there are calls for the former minister to be investigated regarding significant sums of money allegedly stolen from her house. The matter is before an Accra Circuit Court.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed confidence in the integrity of the former Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
The Minister resigned from her position on Friday, July 22, after reports emerged that she had stashed huge sums of money in her home, part of which had been stolen by two house helps who are now facing prosecution alongside other accomplices.
In a letter accepting the Minister’s resignation, the President said “I am confident, like you, that, at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be fully established. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours.”
It is unclear whether the President’s comment about the Minister’s integrity is in defence of her conduct in the midst of the allegations of possible wrongdoing, or that it was simply a parting comment after her years of public service.
Already, critics have accused the president of constantly shielding his appointees accused of corruption, to the point of earning the name tag “clearing agent.”
In her resignation letter addressed to the President, Madam Dapaah said she decided to step down because she did not want this matter “to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government.”
Without a direct comment on the incident that triggered the Minister’s resignation, the President praised her for her “excellent” service during her tenure in office.
“I have received your letter, dated Saturday, 22nd July 2023, resigning from office as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources and as a member of the Government.
“It is with considerable regret that I accept your resignation, and I applaud your loyalty to the image and standing of the Government.”
“The work you undertook during your period in Government was excellent and productive, and I thank you for your wholehearted contribution and devotion to the progress of the government and the nation,” he stated.
There have been several calls on the government to ensure that Madam Dapaah is duly investigated by relevant state institutions to establish how she came by that money.
The acting Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Mary Awelana Addah, says President Akufo-Addo has an opportunity to redeem his image by taking a critical decision on the minister.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has been flooded with numerous reports urging an immediate investigation into the significant sum of money stolen from the former Minister for Sanitation, Madam Cecilia Dapaah.
According to reliable sources from Citi News, prominent individuals have submitted over 200 reports expressing concerns about the source of the stolen funds, allegedly taken by two house helps working for the former Minister.
Madam Cecilia Dapaah tendered her resignation on July 22, 2023, following revelations that her house helps had allegedly stolen substantial amounts of foreign and local currencies from her residence in Accra. The audacious theft sent shockwaves throughout the nation, leaving citizens astonished.
Currently, the two house helps, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, are facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for their involvement in the theft.
It is alleged that they stole a staggering $1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghanaian cedis from Madam Dapaah’s residence at Abelenkpe, Accra, between July and October 2022.
As of now, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has not made any official announcement regarding whether it will open an investigation into the scandal. It is worth noting that the OSP does not necessarily require a formal report or petition to initiate a probe into suspected corruption cases.
The incident has sparked a strong response from Ghanaians on social media, with many calling on the Special Prosecutor to expedite the investigation into the source of the stolen funds.
The lack of a satisfactory explanation from Madam Cecilia Dapaah regarding the origin of the stolen funds, taken from her home that she shares with her husband, has left many Ghanaians eager for answers. The situation has generated significant public interest and concern.
Ghanaian rapper, Pappy Kojo, has expressed disappointment over Cecilia Dapaah‘s decision to resign as the sanitation minister.
Amid the scandal involving stolen foreign and local currencies by her house helps, Cecilia Dapaah announced stepping aside to facilitate further investigations.
In her resignation letter addressed to President Akufo-Addo, she emphasized not wanting the matter to distract the government during a crucial time.
During a discussion on the United Showbiz, Pappy Kojo shared his thoughts, criticizing the minister’s resignation as unwise.
He believes resigning in such circumstances might imply guilt, whereas he would have fought to prove his innocence if he were in her position.
Pappy Kojo suggested that the resignation might be due to a guilty conscience and speculated that Cecilia Dapaah, as a woman, might not want to be embroiled in the chaos.
The rapper, however, clarified his lack of interest in politics, stating that such matters do not concern him, and he identifies himself as an Italian.
“She was the victim so I don’t know why she had to resign. Resigning at this point feels like she is guilty of something. She resigned out of guilty conscience, because if I am a victim, resigning won’t be the first thing to do. I will fight to prove that I am a victim. Resigning is like giving up. But then again, she is a woman so maybe she doesn’t want to be caught in the chaos,” he stated.
Background
On Friday, July 21, it was reported that two house helps of the minister were facing charges in an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing a substantial amount of money, including $1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghanaian cedis, from Cecilia Dapaah’s residence in Abelenkpe, Accra, in October 2022.
The accused, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, allegedly committed the theft between July and October 2022.
They have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing.
Former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, has firmly maintained her innocence amidst the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of $1 million from her home by her house helps.
She has stated her willingness to cooperate fully with any state agencies that are investigating the matter.
On Friday, reports emerged stating that two individuals who had worked for the Sanitation Minister and her husband at their residence were brought before court on charges of stealing significant amounts of money and other valuable items from the house.
The accused individuals are Patience Botwe, 18 years old, and Sarah Agyei, 30 years old. They are alleged to have stolen US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis between July and October 2022. Additionally, they were reported to have taken clothes, handbags, perfumes, jewelry, kente cloth, and suits belonging to Mrs. Dapaah’s husband, all of which are worth thousands of dollars.
Amidst public outcry over the amount of money that was reported to have been kept at her home, Cecilia Dapaah announced her resignation on Saturday.
She claimed she did not want the matter to become “a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time.”
Mrs. Dapaah had released a statement earlier in the day, alleging “noticeable inconsistencies” in the discussions surrounding the case.
Several persons, including Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson and an anti-corruption campaigner, Edem Senanu have called for a probe into the matter.
In her statement, Cecilia Dapaah said she was ready to work with any state agencies to establish the facts of the case and was confident that she would be exonerated.
“I intend to cooperate fully with all state agencies to enable them fully establish the facts,” the statement said.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that at the end of the processes, it will be fully established that I have conducted myself with integrity during my period in public service and I will be fully exonerated from all the allegations that have filled the public domain in the past 24 hours.”
Mrs. Dapaah stood her ground on her complaint that the figures being reported had been exaggerated.
“Whereas I can state emphatically that those figures do not represent correctly what my husband and I reported to the Police, I am very much aware of the import of such stories around someone in my position,” the statement added.
After news of a theft case involving two of her domestic workers broke the internet, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who recently resigned as Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, faced intense criticism and public backlash over the past week.
The accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing.
These alleged thefts took place between July and October 2022.
During this period, the house helps allegedly stole personal belongings of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, which included assorted clothes and an amount of money allegedly valued over $1 million, kept at her residence.
The majority of public perception leans towards the belief that the money kept at the former minister’s home is likely ill-gotten wealth.
However, there are a few public figures who stand in defense of Cecilia Dapaah, arguing that she may not be involved in any sinister activities.
Below is a list of individuals who have shown strong support for Cecilia Dapaah amid the allegations.
Lawrence Kwesi Botchway Jnr
A member of the NPP National Communications, Lawrence Kwesi Botchway Jr., denied all allegations that Cecilia Dapaah acquired her money through stealing from the government. He asserts that the issue has been exaggerated and that the minister’s husband, a very successful architect and businessman, is the rightful owner of around 70% of the funds.
“The money was not stolen on a day. The money was actually stolen in bits in 2019. All the money does not belong to Madam Cecilia Dapaah. About 70% of the money belongs to the husband of Mad. Dapaah, who is an accomplished business mogul,” he said in a statement.
Mr. Clement Wilkinson
During a discussion on Accra-based UTV and monitored by GhanaWeb on Saturday, July 22, 2023, about how Cecilia Dapaah came by such money, Clement Wilkinson, the Ga West Municipal Chief Executive Officer opined that the said stolen money US$1m, €300K, GH¢350k could have been funded from funeral donations.
“Someone was asking why she has such an amount of money in her room. You see, for about a year now, mama Cecilia Dapaah has lost two relatives; her big brother died and we went for the funeral as well as her mother,” he said.
“When my brother was speaking, he mentioned that she has gone to work for a company for 40-something million dollars and that the company has also taken 40-something million dollars. I really cannot tell but maybe at the funeral grounds, the company alone donated $2 million as their funeral contribution,” he added.
Mr.Logic
Entertainment pundit Mr Logic has defended Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, in the midst of the ongoing allegations of stolen monies from her home. Mr Logic criticized Ghanaians on the said issue for what he called hastily labelling the former minister as a thief and argued that the poverty-stricken mindset prevalent in the country tends to misconstrue luxury and wealth as ill-gotten gains.
“If someone wants to save his or her money at home, whether the money is for a project or family money or something, you don’t know, then all of a sudden, all of you are tagging her as a thief. Look, I posted that people should look for their own money and stop criticizing others’ wealth, come and see insults on my page, I have to turn off the comment session. I have realized that in Ghana, the poverty mindset dominates, and people want to be poorer than to live a good life,” he said.
He added, “The woman is not a thief, it is her own money that people have stolen and she wanted to be honest because she is a public official so she has stepped down for investigations …I don’t see why people should think that it is outrageous for her to have that money, I see it just like George said, I see it like a bit myopic to think that way, and so please I don’t support those who are saying she stole the money”.
The former minister resigned from her position on July 22, stating that she did not want the government to be burdened with her personal issues. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has accepted her resignation.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has accepted the resignation of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Sanitation and Water Resources Minister.
However, unlike previous conventions, he has not immediately named a replacement in an acting capacity. Instead, the Chief Director will temporarily lead the ministry until an official announcement is made.
Sources within the corridors of power, according to Ghanaweb suggest that the president is seeking a candidate who can seamlessly fit into the vacant position and avoid parliamentary vetting, which is possible by appointing a serving minister to the role.
Possible replacements for the position include:
Francis Asenso-Boakye, the current Minister of Works and Housing, who might take on the role, potentially leading to the merger of the two portfolios or acting as a temporary replacement.
Freda Prempeh, who previously served as a deputy minister when the ministry was under Works and Housing and is currently working at the Ministry of Works and Housing, is also highly tipped for consideration.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the MP for Suame and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, is seen as another potential replacement. He has previously acted in a ministerial role at the finance ministry. However, if he is moved, the NPP will have to make adjustments to its leadership in Parliament as he currently serves as the Majority Leader.
Other names circulating as potential acting ministers include Dan Botwe, Samuel Jinapor, and Henry Quartey, with the first two having recent experience in acting ministerial capacities. Only time will reveal the final decision made by President Akufo-Addo in appointing the new Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources.
President Akufo-Addo has welcomed the resignation of Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
This was communicated by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, in a Facebook post on Saturday, July 22.
He wrote: “The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has accepted the resignation from office of Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources and member of Government.”
According to him, President Akufo-Addo applauded Hon. Cecilia Dapaah’s “loyalty to the image and standing of his Government, and thanked her also for her wholehearted contribution and devotion to the progress of Government and the Nation.”
“He wished her the best in all her endeavours,” Mr Eugene added.
Minister for Sanitation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, on Saturday stepped down from her position owing to pressure from National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament 48 hours after it was revealed that she had lost millions of dollars and cedis in her home.
Five individuals are facing charges for their alleged involvement in stealing millions of dollars and euros from Sanitation MinisterCecilia Dapaah’s house.
At an Accra Circuit Court, Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
Clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000 were reportedly stolen as well.
According to the minister, what is being reported in the media regarding the looted cash has some “inconsistencies”. She made this known in a press statement dated July 21, ahead of her resignation on July 22.
In her resignation letter, Madam Dapaah reiterated her earlier position stating that “Whereas I can state emphatically that those figures do not represent correctly what my husband and I reported to the Police, I am very much aware of the import of such stories around someone in my position.”
After news broke that Madam Cecilia Dapaah had millions of dollars in her home, some Ghanaians questioned the means in which she acquired them.
This has prompted Madam Dapaah to resign as she does not “want this matter to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time.”
She has assured of her willingness to cooperate fully with all state agencies to enable them fully establish the facts.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that at the end of the processes, it will be fully established that I have conducted myself with integrity during my period in public service and I will be fully exonerated from all the allegations that have filled the public domain in the past 24 hours,” she added.
Madam Dapaah also used the opportunity to thank President Akufo-Addo for the opportunity given to serve Ghanaians.
Meanwhile, the President will soon appoint a new Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.
Minister for Sanitation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has stepped down from her position owing to pressure from National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament 48 hours after it was revealed that she had lost millions of dollars and cedis in her home.
Five individuals are facing charges for their alleged involvement in stealing millions of dollars and euros from Sanitation MinisterCecilia Dapaah’s house.
At an Accra Circuit Court, Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
Clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000 were reportedly stolen as well.
According to the minister, what is being reported in the media regarding the looted cash has some “inconsistencies”. She made this known in a press statement dated July 21, ahead of her resignation on July 22.
In her resignation letter, Madam Dapaah reiterated her earlier position stating that “Whereas I can state emphatically that those figures do not represent correctly what my husband and I reported to the Police, I am very much aware of the import of such stories around someone in my position.”
After news broke that Madam Cecilia Dapaah had millions of dollars in her home, some Ghanaians questioned the means in which she acquired them.
This has prompted Madam Dapaah to resign as she does not “want this matter to become a preoccupation of government and a hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time.”
She has assured of her willingness to cooperate fully with all state agencies to enable them fully establish the facts.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that at the end of the processes, it will be fully established that I have conducted myself with integrity during my period in public service and I will be fully exonerated from all the allegations that have filled the public domain in the past 24 hours,” she added.
Madam Dapaah also used the opportunity to thank President Akufo-Addo for the opportunity given to serve Ghanaians.
Other culprits
29-year-old plumber, Benjamin, is also accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, whereas Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, has been charged for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000.
The third, Malik Dauda, 23, who is unemployed, is said to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
The charges include “conspiracy to commit a crime to wit: stealing: contrary to sections 23(1) and 124(1) of the criminal offenses act of 1960, Act 29.”
What ‘stolen money’ was allegedly spent on
In Court on Thursday, July 20, it was revealed that Patience, who had a duplicate key to the room of the couple was once caught red-handed by Mr Kuffour.
It has emerged in court the many alleged activities Patience engaged in with the amount of money stolen while in hiding with one Benjamin, her boyfriend, in Tamale.
Per reports, while in Tamale, Patience and Benjamin leased a 3-bedroom apartment at the cost of GH¢105,600 and rented a store at the cost of GH¢120,000.
She is also accused of purchasing 3-bedroom house at a cost of US$70,000 at Amrahia. She later furnished the house with the following items – a double decker refrigerator, water dispenser, a television set, washing machine and a chest cooler among others.
Patience is said to have also gifted her boyfriend a Hyundai Elantra at the cost of GH¢80,000. But he later sold it to purchase a Honda Civic.
After showering gifts on her boyfriend, Patience reciprocated the gesture to her father, whom she gave GH¢50,000, and her former boyfriend, who received an amount of GH¢1 million.
Sarah on the other hand, is said to have purchased a 3-bedroom house at Budumburam.
The court granted Sarah bail in the amount of GH¢1 million, and two sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar.
The bail conditions are however subject to review as Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
During her briefing, Judge Susana Ekuful disclosed that Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, to allow for further investigations.
NDC MPs wanted Minister sacked
Certain members of the Minority Members of Parliament expressed their view that Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, acted unlawfully by keeping significant amounts of money in her house, which has allegedly been stolen by her house helps.
Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi, Yussif Sulemana, called on President Akufo-Addo to immediately dismiss the Minister while investigations into the source and legitimacy of the money take place.
He emphasized that such actions would demonstrate a commitment to fighting corruption within the government.
The NDC MP for the Kumbungu constituency, Hamza Adam, also expressed shock at the situation, stating that if proven true, the Minister’s possession of such large sums of money at her residence would be unlawful.
Both MPs have demanded a thorough investigation to ascertain the origin of the funds and appropriate legal actions to be taken.
Economist and Risk Analyst, Dr. Theo Acheampong, has expressed astonishment upon learning about the substantial sums of money reportedly stolen from the residence of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and her husband.
He emphasized that the alleged amount of stolen money by the two house helps should be a matter of concern for Ghanaians.
He insists this should be of concern as the said $1 million stolen among others could be used to construct approximately 14 six-classroom unit blocks in the country.
“One million dollars just for the purposes of our listeners, today the exchange rate is like 11.5 – so that’s 11 million or 11.5 million Ghana Cedis.
“To build a six-unit block classroom in Ghana will cost you roughly about GH₵800 thousand so that one million dollars or 11.5 million dollars can build about 14 six-unit classroom blocks,” he said.
During an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, the Risk Analyst expressed his surprise at the fact that Madam Cecilia Dapaah and her husband did not initially notice the theft.
Dr. Acheampong emphasized that the couple might have had a significant amount of money stored at their home, leading him to call for an investigation into the source of their wealth.
Dr Theo Acheampong
“Since she became a Minister, we know how much ministers earn in this country, we know what they are paid every month, we should be in a position to then establish whether these monies which she said were her property was actually earned legitimately or not.
“Because what is very clear and what we’ve all been talking about is that Ghana is not poor, and it looks as though it is the national cake that is residing in people’s bedrooms, so we need to interrogate,” he said.
He added that the investigation into the wealth of the Sanitation Minister must go beyond the court.
“The OSP must step in, we need to interrogate the source of wealth, how she came to acquire these monies.”
Although there are suggestions that Madam Abena Dapaah acquired her money from her husband, Dr Acheampong said “It should be possible to prove that indeed; that it was a gift and the source of that money is indeed the husband.
“All these would have to be established in investigations beyond the current processes that are ongoing. That’s why I think the OSP must step in, and we need to interrogate it because however we slice and dice, this is a major scandal that goes to put the government and the so-called fight against corruption and other things in a very bad light,” the Economist said.
An Accra High Court was informed that significant sums of money and various items belonging to the Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, were stolen from their home in Abelemkpe.
According to the prosecution, the theft occurred between July and October 2022. The case involves two househelps, Patience Botwe (18 years old) and Sarah Agyei (30 years old), along with three others, who are facing charges of stealing. The alleged stolen amounts include US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghanaian Cedis.
In June of the current year, Madam Dapaah and her husband reported the theft incident to the police after Mr. Kuffour reportedly caught one of the accused, Patience Botwe, red-handed in their room with a duplicate key, leading to her subsequent arrest.
A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) communications team, Clement Wilkinson, has made an audacious claim regarding the millions of dollars and pounds found in the home of the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah.
He suggested that the funds could be unaccounted donations received at recent funerals, including those of her brother and mother.
According to Wilkinson, the company that dredged the Odaw River might have contributed to the donations, as they received a significant amount for their services.
“The company which received $43 million dollars to dredge the Odaw river could have given Cecilia Dapaah $2 million dollars in funeral donation. You know Until the family meets to look at the entire donation, it would not be touched. It could be the reason the money was at her home”
Former Deputy Information Minister Felix Kwakye Fosu shared parts of the video on Twitter, expressing shock at the NPP communicator’s explanation.
The minister’s domestic staff is accused of stealing substantial amounts of money, jewelry, and clothing from her home.
Under pressure from various groups, including the minority, civil society organizations, and anti-corruption groups, the minister is still in her post, but calls for her resignation or removal by the President persist.
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, has made allegations against the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), claiming that they are orchestrating an amendment to the charge sheet in the case involving the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah.
The minister reported that over a million dollars and 300,000 Euros, as well as millions of cedis were stolen from her residence at Akpelempke.
According to Sam George, an unidentified NPP MP hinted at the party’s intention to engage in a public relations strategy by altering the charge sheet to lower the amounts mentioned in the case.
Speaking on on Newsfile on Joy FM on Saturday, July 22, the legislator said, “yesterday [Friday], in parliament, after this matter broke, a senior member of government and a senior MVP person made it clear to us that they were going to engage in a PR spin and get the charge sheet amended.
“And the attempt to amend it is because of the gravity of the theft; to try and drop down the numbers. So Ghanaians should watch out for that. I mean, you will soon see a new charge sheet that has dropped a number of zeros out of the figures in question,” he said.
According to the prosecution in the case, the thefts occurred between July and October 2022.
The Chronicle newspaper reports that two house helps – Patience Botwe, 18, and Sarah Agyei, 30 – are currently facing one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, involving amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
Madam Dapaah and her husband reported the theft to the police in June this year, after Mr Daniel Osei Kuffour [husband], caught one of the accused [Patience Botwe] red-handed in their room with a duplicate key, leading to her arrest.
But hours after the news broke out, the Minister issued a statement explaining that the amounts of money purported to have been stolen by the media were inconsistent with the original complaint she filed.
According to Sam Nartey George, he finds it bizarre that Madam Dapaah is now claiming there have been inconsistencies in the charge sheet only after the news came to light.
In a bid to quell the uproar that emerged after it was revealed that she had lost millions of dollars and cedis in her home, Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah released a statement to address the matter.
The statement dated July 21 does not explicitly confirm whether Mrs Dapaah had stashed huge sums of money in her home.
Rather, Mrs Dapaah makes mention of some “noticeable inconsistencies” with regards to the story being discussed in the public domain and the “thrust of the original complaint on the matter.”
According to Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, she is taking steps to examine and identify the origins of the inconsistencies.
But a careful perusal of the statement shows an inconsistency committed by the minister herself.
Her name is spelt differently in the release. In the letterhead, she spells her name as “Cecelia Abena Dapaah” but in the title of the letter and the subscription, the minister’s name is spelt as “Cecilia Abena Dapaah.”
Member of parliament from Kumbungu, Hamza Adam, claims that if the government had access to the vast sums of allegedly stolen money, including US$1 million, €300,000, and 350,000 Ghana cedis from the residence of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the minister for sanitation and water resources, Ghana’s recent recourse to an IMF loan could have been avoided.
He contends that rather than the nation requesting financial aid from the international community, the aforementioned sum is sufficient to support the faltering economy.
“We all know it is illegal to keep such monies because if you look at the quantum of money that is alleged to be found in her residence, if we got such an amount of money, we didn’t need to go to the IMF,” he said.
Speaking in a media briefing after a Parliamentary sitting on July 21, 2023, he stressed the need to investigate all ministers currently serving the country. “That is also a wake-up call, which means we have to go down and investigate all ministers serving the country at the moment.”
He added “I think it is important that the minister, as a matter of urgency, relinquish her position as a minister because her continued stay may interfere with the prosecution processes. We demand that the minister clears the way by doing the ultimate thing, or the president must compel her to resign.”
The blatant thefts took place over a three-month period, from July to October 2022, at the couple’s home in the Accra district of Abelemkpe, according to an official charge sheet from an Accra Circuit Court. The defendants, Patience and Sarah, are being prosecuted on a number of counts of theft involving astonishing sums of money as well as a conspiracy to conduct a crime.
In addition to financial assets, the accused is also accused of stealing Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s personal items, including pricey clothing, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry. The stunning value of the stolen goods totaled 95,000 Ghana cedis and 95,000 US dollars.
Patience was accused of stealing cultural relics, including six pieces of Kente cloth valued GH$90,000 and six sets of gold jewelry, by herself.
Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah who has been under intense criticism after it emerged that millions of dollars and cedis in her home at Akpelempke had been stolen, has finally broken her silence.
In a public notice dated July 21, the minister noted that there are “noticeable inconsistencies” with regards to the story being discussed in the public domain and the “thrust of the original complaint on the matter.”
According to Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, she is taking steps to examine and identify the origins of the inconsistencies.
She has pledged to provide a detailed report in the coming days.
Background
Five individuals are facing charges for their alleged involvement in stealing millions of dollars and euros from Sanitation MinisterCecilia Dapaah’s house.
At an Accra Circuit Court, Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
Clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000 were reportedly stolen as well.
29-year-old plumber, Benjamin, is accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, whereas Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, has been charged for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000.
The third, Malik Dauda, 23, who is unemployed, is said to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
The charges include “conspiracy to commit a crime to wit: stealing: contrary to sections 23(1) and 124(1) of the criminal offenses act of 1960, Act 29.”
What ‘stolen money’ was allegedly spent on
In Court on Thursday, July 20, it was revealed that Patience, who had a duplicate key to the room of the couple was once caught red-handed by Mr Kuffour.
It has emerged in court the many alleged activities Patience engaged in with the amount of money stolen while in hiding with one Benjamin, her boyfriend, in Tamale.
Per reports, while in Tamale, Patience and Benjamin leased a 3-bedroom apartment at the cost of GH¢105,600 and rented a store at the cost of GH¢120,000.
She is also accused of purchasing 3-bedroom house at a cost of US$70,000 at Amrahia. She later furnished the house with the following items – a double decker refrigerator, water dispenser, a television set, washing machine and a chest cooler among others.
Patience is said to have also gifted her boyfriend a Hyundai Elantra at the cost of GH¢80,000. But he later sold it to purchase a Honda Civic.
After showering gifts on her boyfriend, Patience reciprocated the gesture to her father, whom she gave GH¢50,000, and her former boyfriend, who received an amount of GH¢1 million.
Sarah on the other hand, is said to have purchased a 3-bedroom house at Budumburam.
The court granted Sarah bail in the amount of GH¢1 million, and two sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar.
The bail conditions are however subject to review as Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
During her briefing, Judge Susana Ekuful disclosed that Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, to allow for further investigations.
Reactions
Former President John Dramani Mahama has described as outrageous news regarding some millions of dollars and cedis stolen from the home of Cecilia Dapaah.
the former President in a tweet on Friday, July 21, questioned the Sanitation Minister’s rationale for keeping such huge amounts of money in her home even it was acquired legally.
“$1m + €300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister’s home? Scandalous!! Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home?” he quizzed.
Owing to this incident, he questioned the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, hinting that the president has failed to set a good example for his public officers.
“Will @NAkufoAddo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration?” he asked.
NDC MPs want Minister sacked
Certain members of the Minority Members of Parliament have expressed their view that Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, acted unlawfully by keeping significant amounts of money in her house, which has allegedly been stolen by her house helps.
Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi, Yussif Sulemana, called on President Akufo-Addo to immediately dismiss the Minister while investigations into the source and legitimacy of the money take place.
He emphasized that such actions would demonstrate a commitment to fighting corruption within the government.
The NDC MP for the Kumbungu constituency, Hamza Adam, also expressed shock at the situation, stating that if proven true, the Minister’s possession of such large sums of money at her residence would be unlawful.
Both MPs have demanded a thorough investigation to ascertain the origin of the funds and appropriate legal actions to be taken.
Five individuals are facing charges for their alleged involvement in stealing millions of dollars and euros from Sanitation MinisterCecilia Dapaah’s house.
At an Accra Circuit Court, Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
Clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000 were reportedly stolen as well.
29-year-old plumber, Benjamin, is accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, whereas Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, has been charged for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000.
The third, Malik Dauda, 23, who is unemployed, is said to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
The charges include “conspiracy to commit a crime to wit: stealing: contrary to sections 23(1) and 124(1) of the criminal offenses act of 1960, Act 29.”
A private legal practitioner, Kwame Jantuah, has called on State investigative agencies to investigate the origin of the stolen $1 million and thousands of Euros belonging to Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffuor.
The court is currently handling the case of two domestic employees of the couple, who are accused of stealing $1 million and 300,000 Euros, along with other belongings.
While the court has not yet reached a final verdict on the issue, Mr. Jantuah holds the belief that investigating the source of the money will be instrumental in the ongoing fight against corruption.
“If we are able to establish what work he (husband of the Minister) does and that work earns him this kind of money then the major thing there will be taxes. Has he evaded taxes? If it can be proven that this money is not the Minister’s own and she didn’t gain it unscrupulously and the money is genuine where her husband has worked and got that money, then it needs to be proven.”If we are able to establish what work he (husband of the Minister) does and that work earns him this kind of money then the major thing there will be taxes. Has he evaded taxes? If it can be proven that this money is not the Minister’s own and she didn’t gain it unscrupulously and the money is genuine where her husband has worked and got that money, then it needs to be proven.
What I see there, nobody can hold anybody for keeping money in their house. It is the tax element,” Lawyer Jantuah said on the Weekly Review segment on Morning Starr on Starr FM Friday.
He added: “It is open season and I’m not sure the court will ask because that is not what the case is about, it is about stolen money. So the authorities in this country, Special Prosecutor who looks at some of these things should ask the questions. GRA should ask the questions and let’s see where the truth lies. I wouldn’t want to hang somebody with the chain when I really don’t have the facts as to where that money is derived from.
It could be for her husband, if it is for the Minister and if it is for both of them they should prove how that money was made. You cannot bring into Ghana a million dollars at the Airport, you will be questioned, and even when you transfer money into your account here, the bank that you transferred into has a responsibility to tell the Bank of Ghana that e person has put x amount of money in his account. If the Bank of Ghana questions you and you can’t prove the right source, the Bank of Ghana can seize it.
Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Professor Hamza Adam, has raised eyebrows by questioning the necessity of an IMF bailout when a substantial sum of money has been discovered in the house of Cecilia Dapaah, the current Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.
The revelations have sparked a heated debate among the public, demanding further scrutiny into the financial affairs of government officials.
Making a submission on the matter, Prof Adam, said under the laws of the state, it is illegal to retain an amount of money exceeding a specific threshold within one’s residence.
It is alleged that Madam Cecilia Dapaah had in her possession $1 million, €300,000, and an undisclosed amount of Ghana Cedis at her residence.
These monies were allegedly stolen by two house helps, for which they are standing trial at an Accra Circuit Court.
Speaking on this in an interview with the press in parliament on Friday, July 21, Prof Adam said “First of all it is illegal to keep certain money, at home particularly foreign. So an amount to the tune of millions will be shocking to the bone.
“I will appeal to all the skakeholders who matter to investigate the matter so that we will get to the bottom of the issue because it is shocking if you look at the quantum of the amount that is alleged to be found at her residence. if we got such an amount of money we didn’t need to go to the IMF.”
He added “That is also a wake-up call, which means we have to go down and investigate all ministers who are serving the country at the moment. What it simply means is that whereas everybody is dying that the stake is heating up and livelihoods are getting deteriorated others are sitting in gold mines. I am appealing to the stakeholders who matter to do further investigation.
“I think it is important the minister, as a matter of urgency, relinquishes her position as the minister, the reason being that it may interfere with the investigation process otherwise the president must compel her to resign.”
On 23rd February 2021, Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah answered questions on the funds Ghana received from the World Bank to support the Greater Accra and Integrated Development initiative.
The Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development project (GARID) is the first in a series of projects designed to build the resilience of the national capital with the intial phase covering a five-year period (2020-2025).
The goal of the project is to improve flood risk and solid waste management in the Odaw River basin of the Greater Accra region and improve access to basic infrastructure and services in the targeted communities within the Odaw River Basin.
In Parliament, an MP asked the Minister to account for the $570 million provided by the World Bank.
In her response, Mrs Cecilia Dapaah revealed that the Ministry of Sanitation received an amount of $43million from the total figure.
She did not provide a very detailed breakdown of how the money was spent, but however, noted that the money was use to “to cap about five feet around Pantang and then the Odaw Basin.”
She also added that money was spent to “clean up the Odaw Basin to make the channels open for water to flow in.”
For some Twitter users, an introspection of the information provided by the Sanitation Minister 2 years ago is relevant as it has been revealed that Mrs Dapaah has lost over millions of dollars and cedi’s kept in her house.
Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are reported to have been robbed by two of their house helps in their home in Abelemkpe, Accra.
The two, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei are said to have undertaken their operation between July and October 2022.
At an Accra Circuit Court, Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
Clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000 were reportedly stolen as well.
Since news broke, some Twitter users have been asking about how the minister was able to have such an amount of money.
For one Twitter user @AnnanPerry, he/she smells a rat with how money was spent on the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development project.
The Minister’s two house helps are currently facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for supposedly stealing $1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghanaian cedis from her residence in Abelenkpe, Accra, in October 2023.
Yussif Sulemana, the Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi, expressed his expectations in a Citi News interview. He stated that he believes President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should immediately dismiss the Minister while investigations are carried out to verify the legitimacy of the money.
“I expect the President to fire her if it’s true that she kept that huge sum of money in her house. The question is where did she get the money? If indeed that money was legitimate, why did she put it in her house instead of the bank?
“If it is indeed established that this woman was keeping such sums of money, the first thing is for the President to sack her.
“That’s the only way we would know that the President is fighting corruption. The President must act and act immediately. The next stage is that any state institution interested in investigating her could do so freely,” Mr. Sulemana added.
The NDC MP for the Kumbungu constituency, Hamza Adam, also speaking to Citi News, said it would be shocking if it is indeed established that the said monies were kept in the house of the Minister.
“Every minister of state has the right to own properties provided those properties are owned on the back of legitimacy. The issue surrounding Cecilia Dapaah is something that has come up as a shock, especially when everyone knows that the country is in a crisis. It will be surprising if indeed such monies were kept by her in her house. We have to establish the truth of the matter.”
“We are expecting the proper legal action to be taken and an investigation triggered to establish where she got the money from. I think it is illegal to keep such money in your house,” the Kumbungu MP added.
Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, a Special Aide to former President John Mahama, expressed her concerns on Twitter regarding a minister of state in the Akufo-Addo government reportedly having millions of cedis and other foreign currencies in her house.
An Accra Circuit Court has been told that huge sums of money and other items of Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour have been stolen from their Abelemkpe home.
Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari deemed this act scandalous and inappropriate conduct for public office holders.
Madam Bawah Mogtari raised questions about the distribution of scarce state resources among President Akufo-Addo and his appointees, implying that they might be benefiting unfairly.
Furthermore, she questioned whether President Akufo-Addo would possess the moral authority to dismiss the embattled minister given these circumstances.
“So so much wealth under their beds, millions of dollars and Cedis, a potpourri of currencies, and yes Ghanaians are still suffering, Debt exchanges, hardships and haircuts galore! Pray tell us what is @NAkufoAddo going to do please!!”
Already, former President John Dramani Mahama has questioned how the Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah kept US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis at her home.
Mr Mahama said the conduct of the Minister is scandalous and must be probed.
“$1m + €300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister’s home? Scandalous!!”
“Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home?”
“Will @NAkufoAddo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration?,” he tweeted on Friday.
Background
The prosecution alleges that the thefts occurred between July and October of the previous year. Two house helps, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, are currently facing charges before the Court in connection with the alleged thefts.
The accused individuals are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, involving significant amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.
According to The Chronicle newspaper report, during the same period, Patience and Sarah are said to have stolen personal belongings belonging to Cecilia Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Additionally, Patience is accused of acting alone to steal six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belonged to her husband.
Furthermore, three other individuals have been charged in connection with the thefts.
Ghanaians are still reeling from the news of theft involving Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah‘s house helps.
On Friday, July 21, 2023, the Minister was in the top trends on Twitter over reports that money and valuables worth thousands of pounds and a million dollars, are reported to have been stolen from the Minister and her spouse’s house in Abelemkpe, Accra by two house helps; one Patience Botwe, an 18-year-old and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei.
Ghanaians have received the news with mixed reactions with some condemning the act while others have questioned the source of wealth of the minister and the motive for keeping such huge stacks of money in her house.
Former President John Dramani Mahama for instance cannot fathom how the Minister would choose to keep such an amount in her home.
In a tweet, he said: “$1m + €300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister’s home? Scandalous!! Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home? Will @NAkufoAddo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration?”
Other tweeps have also expressed concern over the Minister still being in office.
One user identified as @Datanomics expressed concern over how then deputy Communications Minister under the erstwhile Mahama administration, Victoria Hammah, was dismissed from office over a leaked tape in which she made claims suggesting that she would quit politics if she make $100 million, while the Sanitation Minister remains at post.
“Victoria Hammah, then dep. Comms. Minister was sacked by John Mahama in 2013 for allegedly saying she would stay active in politics till she makes $1 million. Cecilia Dapaah had over Ghc16m kept under her bed for househelps to steal. She is still at post as Sanitation Minister,” she said.
Victoria Hammah went to bed on one Thursday evening in November 2013, still a minister in the John Mahama-led NDC Administration. But by Friday morning (in the same month-within that same week), she was a persona non-grata following her dismissal from the position of Deputy Communications Minister by the president in a statement issued by Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mahama Ayariga.
It is trite knowledge that the infamous leaked tape, which was later described rather wittily as vickyleaks, purported to contain her voice, had a lot to do with her being relieved of her duties.
Victoria Hammah in the said audio confesses her determination to make one million dollars in politics before involving herself in any rancour. She also claimed among other things that a minister played a role in the Supreme Court judgment of the 2012 election petition which confirmed President Mahama as validly elected president.
According to reports, the audio was leaked by her driver.
There is a frenzy on social media platform, Twitter, after news broke that Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, managed to have over a million dollars in her home, which was subsequently “cleaned up” by her house helps.
It has emerged that two house helps;18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei are currently facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in a series of thefts that occurred at the minister’s home in Abelemkpe, Accra, between July and October 2022.
Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis per a report from The Chronicle.
The accused are said to have also stolen personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Patience has been accused of going solo in stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, belonging to Daniel Osei Kuffour.
The amounts stolen have left social media users shell-shocked with many now interrogating whether the Sanitation Minister is the only government official who has stashed such amount of money in her home.
The first public officer in the minds of tweeps is Ghana’s very own Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, who not long risked losing his position over the current state of the economy.
Why Ofori-Atta
The Finance Minister has been accused by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of unethically and unlawfully benefiting from his position to siphon Ghana’s money.
The opposition Members of Parliament on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 filed the motion to trigger a process to revoke the minister’s appointment citing severe economic challenges.
The MPs cited the following reasons as justification to revoke Ken Ofori-Atta’s appointment:
Despicable conflict of Interest ensuring that he directly benefits from Ghana’s economic woes as his companies receive commissions and other unethical contractual advantage. particularly from Ghana’s debt overhang.
Unconstitutional withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund in blatant contravention of Article 178 of the 1992 Constitution supposedly for the construction of the President’s Cathedral;
Illegal payment of oil revenues into offshore accounts in flagrant violation of Article 176 of the 1992 Constitution;
Deliberate and dishonest misreporting of economic data to Parliament
Fiscal recklessness leading to the crash of the Ghana Cedi which is currently the worst performing currency in the world;
Alarming incompetence and frightening ineptitude resulting in the collapse of the Ghanaian economy and on excruciating cost of living crisis;
Gross mismanagement of the economy which has occasioned untold and unprecedented hardship.
Ofori-Atta stays
The vote of censure motion filed by the Minority against the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta failed.
This is because only 136 legislators on the Minority side voted to demand the removal of Mr Ofori-Atta thus falling short of the two-thirds constitutional requirement for the motion to pass through.
The proponents of the motion needed the votes of 183 legislators to have the motion passed against Mr. Ofori-Atta.
Prior to the vote, the New Patriotic Party MPs staged a walkout and decided not to support the motion of their colleagues from the opposition side of the House.
Former Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) Vitus Azeem, has urged three key state institutions to take an interest in a case involvingCecilia Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources.
The case, currently before an Accra Circuit Court, revolves around the theft of $1 million from the minister’s residence by two house helps identified only as Patience and Sarah.
According to details shared by The Chronicle, the house helps stole various sums of money from the minister’s house in Abelemkpe, including $1 million, €300,000, and several million Ghana cedis.
During a phone interview, Vitus Azeem, known for his anti-corruption efforts, stated that the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor should show interest in the matter.
He argued that the mandates of these institutions encompass the issues raised in the case, making it essential for their involvement.
“There are three institutions that come to my mind. The Office of the Special Prosecutor has talked about having a lifestyle audit so, it’s one of the institutions that should be doing something about this.
“Number two, the Ghana Revenue Authority should investigate it, if the person is doing business, or if some of the monies are gifts or disposal of assets, the GRA will need to find out if they paid tax on these things.
“And number three is the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice since the minister is a public officer, she is supposed to have declared her assets.
“So, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice should call for the asset declaration of the minister to look at what was the last time this lady declared her assets and did that declaration include these monies and the other assets we are talking about. If not, then that gives a problem for her,” he explained.
He wondered if the president would ever set a good example with his appointees.
“$1m + €300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister’s home? Scandalous!! Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home? Will @NAkufoAddo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration?” he tweeted.
An anti-corruption advocate, Vitus Azeem, has called on President Akufo-Addo to demonstrate his commitment to fighting corruption by initiating prompt investigations into the Cecilia Dapaah $1 million case.
Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, has been in the spotlight due to a case she filed in court against her two house helps, who are accused of stealing substantial sums of money from her residence in Abelemkpe. The alleged theft involves a total of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis.
These reports have prompted individuals, including former President John Dramani Mahama, to criticize President Akufo-Addo for what they perceive as weak and corrupt leadership displayed by some of his appointees.
Vitus Azeem, the former Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), emphasized the importance of the president taking action to dispel such criticisms by demanding immediate investigations into the matter.
“If he wants to set a good example, he needs to commission an immediate investigation into this matter. And then if the investigations come out with findings that show that the monies were acquired illegally, then the necessary actions must be taken,” he explained.
Vitus Azeem however added that from past experiences, he does not think that anything will be done to the minister.
“But from past experience, we never see these things happen. He’s probably likely to come out wrong and say that the minister has done nothing wrong, then the battle will die,” he added.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has described as outrageous news regarding some millions of dollars and cedis stolen from the home of Water and Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.
The former President in a tweet on Friday, July 21, questioned the Sanitation Minister’s rationale for keeping such huge amounts of money in her home even it was acquired legally.
“$1m + €300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister’s home? Scandalous!! Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home?” he quizzed.
Owing to this incident, he questioned the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, hinting that the president has failed to set a good example for his public officers.
“Will @NAkufoAddo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration?” he asked.
Millions stolen
Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis per a report from The Chronicle.
The accused are said to have also stolen personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Patience has been accused of going solo in stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, belonging to Daniel Osei Kuffour.
Three other individuals have also been charged in connection with the theft being investigated.
29-year-old plumber, Benjamin, is accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, whereas Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, has been charged for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000.
The third, Malik Dauda, 23, who is unemployed, is said to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
All five accused appeared before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Judge Susana Ekuful on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
The court granted Sarah bail in the amount of GH¢1 million, and two sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar.
The bail conditions are however subject to review as Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
During her briefing, Judge Susana Ekuful disclosed that Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody. However, Sarah, being a breastfeeding mother, was granted bail.
The prosecution revealed that Patience, also known as Maabena, had previously worked as a house help for the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and his wife, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. Similarly, Sarah had also served as a house help for the couple.
The alleged thefts came to light in June of the current year when the complainants reported the incidents to the police after discovering missing cash and personal belongings.
Patience was caught red-handed as she had used a duplicate key to open and enter the couple’s room. Mr. Kuffour apprehended her upon returning home, having noticed that the room was unlocked and hearing suspicious noises from inside.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of the stolen items and money in possession of Patience and her associates.
It is alleged that the accused used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, to allow for further investigations.
Certain members of the Minority Members of Parliament have expressed their view that Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, acted unlawfully by keeping significant amounts of money in her house, which has allegedly been stolen by her house helps.
The Minister and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, were reportedly robbed by two of their house helps, Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, between July and October 2022.
The house helps have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, involving large sums of money in different currencies and valuable items.
Three other individuals, including a plumber, a trader, and an unemployed person, have also been charged for dishonestly receiving stolen funds.
The accused allegedly used the stolen money to finance various purchases and properties.
In court, one of the house helps, Sarah Agyei, was granted bail, and the case has been scheduled for further investigation.
Speaking in parliament the Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi, , Yussif Sulemana, called on President Akufo-Addo to immediately dismiss the Minister while investigations into the source and legitimacy of the money take place.
He emphasized that such actions would demonstrate a commitment to fighting corruption within the government.
The NDC MP for the Kumbungu constituency, Hamza Adam, also expressed shock at the situation, stating that if proven true, the Minister’s possession of such large sums of money at her residence would be unlawful.
Both MPs have demanded a thorough investigation to ascertain the origin of the funds and appropriate legal actions to be taken.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has described as outrageous news regarding some millions of dollars and cedis stolen from the home of Water and Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.
It has emerged that two house helps of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are currently facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in a series of thefts that occurred at the minister’s home in Abelemkpe, Accra, between July and October 2022.
The accused are 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei.
Reacting to the news broken by several tabloids, the former President in a tweet on Friday, July 21, questioned the Sanitation Minister’s rationale for keeping such huge amounts of money in her home even it was acquired legally.
“$1m + €300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister’s home? Scandalous!! Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home?” he quizzed.
Owing to this incident, he questioned the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, hinting that the president has failed to set a good example for his public officers.
“Will @NAkufoAddo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration?” he asked.
Millions stolen
Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis per a report from The Chronicle.
The accused are said to have also stolen personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Patience has been accused of going solo in stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, belonging to Daniel Osei Kuffour.
Three other individuals have also been charged in connection with the theft being investigated.
29-year-old plumber, Benjamin, is accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, whereas Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, has been charged for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000.
The third, Malik Dauda, 23, who is unemployed, is said to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
All five accused appeared before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Judge Susana Ekuful on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
The court granted Sarah bail in the amount of GH¢1 million, and two sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar.
The bail conditions are however subject to review as Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
During her briefing, Judge Susana Ekuful disclosed that Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody. However, Sarah, being a breastfeeding mother, was granted bail.
The prosecution revealed that Patience, also known as Maabena, had previously worked as a house help for the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and his wife, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. Similarly, Sarah had also served as a house help for the couple.
The alleged thefts came to light in June of the current year when the complainants reported the incidents to the police after discovering missing cash and personal belongings.
Patience was caught red-handed as she had used a duplicate key to open and enter the couple’s room. Mr. Kuffour apprehended her upon returning home, having noticed that the room was unlocked and hearing suspicious noises from inside.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of the stolen items and money in possession of Patience and her associates.
It is alleged that the accused used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, to allow for further investigations.
Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are said to have been robbed by two of their house helps in their home in Abelemkpe, Accra, between July and October 2022.
18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei are currently facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in a series of thefts
The accusations against them include one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, involving substantial amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis, as reported by The Chronicle.
The alleged thefts also extended to personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, such as clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Patience, acting alone, has been accused of stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belonged to Daniel Osei Kuffour.
Additionally, three other individuals have been implicated in connection with the investigation. Benjamin, a 29-year-old plumber, has been charged with dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000. Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, is facing charges for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000. Malik Dauda, a 23-year-old unemployed individual, is alleged to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
All five accused individuals appeared before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Susana Ekuful, on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Sarah was granted bail in the amount of GH¢1 million, and two sureties were required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar. It is important to note that these bail conditions are subject to review since Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
During the briefing, Judge Susana Ekuful mentioned that Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody. However, Sarah was granted bail due to her status as a breastfeeding mother.
The alleged thefts came to light in June of the current year when the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and Cecilia Abena Dapaah, reported the incidents to the police upon discovering missing cash and personal belongings.
Patience was caught in the act, having entered the couple’s room using a duplicate key. She was apprehended by Mr. Kuffour upon his return home, after noticing that the room was unlocked and hearing unusual noises.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of the stolen items and money in the possession of Patience and her associates. It is alleged that they used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.
The case has been adjourned to August 2, 2023, to allow for further investigations.
Two house helps of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are currently facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in a series of thefts that occurred at the minister’s home in Abelemkpe, Accra, between July and October 2022.
The accused are 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei.
Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis per a report from The Chronicle.
The accused are said to have also stolen personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Patience has been accused of going solo in stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, belonging to Daniel Osei Kuffour.
Three other individuals have also been charged in connection with the theft being investigated.
29-year-old plumber, Benjamin, is accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, whereas Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, has been charged for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000.
The third, Malik Dauda, 23, who is unemployed, is said to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.
All five accused appeared before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Judge Susana Ekuful on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
The court granted Sarah bail in the amount of GH¢1 million, and two sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar.
The bail conditions are however subject to review as Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
During her briefing, Judge Susana Ekuful disclosed that Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody. However, Sarah, being a breastfeeding mother, was granted bail.
The prosecution revealed that Patience, also known as Maabena, had previously worked as a house help for the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and his wife, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. Similarly, Sarah had also served as a house help for the couple.
The alleged thefts came to light in June of the current year when the complainants reported the incidents to the police after discovering missing cash and personal belongings.
Patience was caught red-handed as she had used a duplicate key to open and enter the couple’s room. Mr. Kuffour apprehended her upon returning home, having noticed that the room was unlocked and hearing suspicious noises from inside.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of the stolen items and money in possession of Patience and her associates.
It is alleged that the accused used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, to allow for further investigations.
According to Cecilia Dapaah, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, the government has already contributed close to $1 billion to help with the provision of sustainable water and sanitation needs across the nation.
According to her, the government accomplished this by using a Public Private Partnership (PPP) strategy to address the escalating demand for water and sanitation demands over time.
Mrs. Dapaah made this statement last Friday when Dr. Rashid Mbaziira, the Executive Secretary of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), paid her a courtesy visit in Accra, according to a statement released by the ministry and copied to the Ghanaian Times in Accra.
She noted that the deployment of the PPP approach led to the provision of Integrated Compost and Recycling Plants, Wastewater Treatment Plants, Condominium Sewers, Water intake and treatment plants.
She said that AMCOW was the future of water in Africa as through its summits, African commitment to ensuring the provision of sustainable water solutions to her citizens were renewed.
“The country is open to new proposals and inputs in tapping into Ghana’s 53.2 billion m3 Renewable Water Resources,” she added.
Following the reviewing of the National Sanitation Policy, with focus on open defecation, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources indicated that the ministry was fully committed to supporting the activities of AMCOW through data sharing with sister countries for the collective good of Africa.
Mrs Dapaah said it was important to mobilise high-level political buy-in and commitment for the roadmap to formulate the post-2025 Africa Water Vision in implementing continental and global commitments on water and sanitation.
She reiterated Ghana’s full support for the proposal to appoint a United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Water to strengthen Africa’s voice at the global level in order to accelerate progress towards achieving water and sanitation goals in Africa.
Dr Mbaziira for his part stressed the need for African countries to focus on using the digital elements available to them for data collection in the water sector.
He used the opportunity to commend Ghana for the successful implementation of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Water and Sanitation Projects, and the World Bank is considering replicating the project in other African countries.
