Former Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama has expressed shock over an amount of US$1 million, €300,000, and other millions of Ghana cedis stolen from the residence of Mrs. Cecilia Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, and her husband, Mr. Daniel Osei Kuffour, in Abelemkpe, Accra.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 presidential flagbearer in a tweet described the news of such money kept in the home of the Minister as “scandalous”.
“$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 said.
He further called on President Akufo-Addo to set good example for public office holders in his government.
“$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?” the full tweet reads.
The response comes after news broke that two house helps – 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, are facing charges for conspiring to commit a crime and five counts of stealing. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022 and included personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, such as clothing, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Ms. Botwe is also charged with stealing six pieces of Kente cloth valued at GH$90,000 and six sets of men’s clothes costing US$3,000 that belonged to the minister’s husband.
Three additional people, named as Ms. Botwe’s father, her current and former lovers, and the house helpers, are also charged with allegedly participating in the crime. They are each accused of receiving GH50,000, GH180,000, and GH1,000,000.
On August 2, 2023, the case is scheduled to resume as the court continues its hearings to decide the fate of the accused people.
