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.