Five individuals have petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah for allegedly acquiring assets disproportionate to her income.
The petitioners, Mensah Thompson, Al-Hassan Kwadwo Baidoo, Bernard Anbataayela Mornah, Ransford Antwi, and Joyce Atitso, have called for a thorough investigation into Dapaah’s finances.
The controversy surrounding Dapaah began with a theft report at her home, leading to her resignation in July 2023. The stolen items included substantial amounts of money—$1 million, €300,000, and GH¢350,000—as well as luxury handbags valued at $35,000 and $95,000 worth of jewellery.
The disclosure of these amounts sparked public outrage amidst Ghana’s economic challenges and the devaluation of the cedi.
Following her resignation, Dapaah was arrested by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), leading to her Bank accounts being frozen.
The investigation, which drew in the FBI, lasted nearly seven months. The OSP found that the evidence discovered was largely in the domain of money laundering and structuring and lacked the mandate to investigate and prosecute same. The OSP subsequently transferred the case to EOCO which has a mandate to investigate money laundering.
The petitioners in their request on May 20 urged CHRAJ to scrutinise Ms Dapaah’s assets, which include $1,390,000; €300,000, GH₵3,212,007; and bank accounts in both cedis and dollars.
“…More importantly, we are fortified in the need for this investigation because during interrogation by the OSP as to the source of her income, Madam Cecilia Dapaah could not give any proper explanation,” they added.
source: city newsroom
