Former Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) Vitus Azeem, has urged three key state institutions to take an interest in a case involving Cecilia 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.
Also reacting to the news, former President John Dramani Mahama called into question the integrity of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
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.