Former president John Mahama has described the theft case involving more than a million in cash in the home of the former sanitation minister, Cecilia Dapaah, as “scandalous.”
The money was allegedly stolen by the former minister’s househelps in Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra.
The accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, are charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.
During this period, the house helps allegedly stole personal effects belonging to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GHC 95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewellery worth USC 95,000.
Additionally, Botwe is accused of stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GHC 90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at USC 3,000, which belong to the minister’s husband.
Furthermore, three other individuals, identified as Ms. Botwe’s current and former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for allegedly being involved in the crime. They are respectively charged with dishonestly receiving GHC1 million, GHC180,000, and GHC50,000.
Reacting to the development, Mahama questioned the rationale for keeping such an amount at home.
“US$1m + €300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister’s home? Scandalous!!,” the former president tweeted on Saturday.
“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?” Mahama asked.
$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?— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) July 21, 2023
President Nana Akufo-Addo has accepted Dapaah’s resignation and applauded her for her loyalty.
“President Akufo-Addo applauded Hon Cecilia Dapaah’s loyalty to the image and standing of his government, and thanked her also for her whole-hearted contribution and devotion to the progress of the government and the nation. He wished her the best in all her endeavours,” the director of communications at the Office of the President, Eugene Arhin, posted on Facebook.
Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra
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