Dr. Christopher Adu Boahen, son of historian and New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart Professor Albert Adu Boahen, will be laid to rest on Thursday, April 25, following a burial and memorial service at the Accra Ridge Church.
He tragically passed away after being attacked and robbed at his residence in East Legon, a suburb of the Greater Accra Region, last month.
The assailant reportedly broke into his home, resulting in a fatal outcome. Mark Forson, the deceased’s houseboy, was apprehended in connection with the murder and is currently facing trial.
Dr. Christopher Adu Boahen was the brother of Charles Adu Boahen, who served as both a deputy minister for finance and later as minister of state at the Ministry of Finance in the Akufo-Addo government.
Charles Adu Boahen resigned from the government in November 2022.
The son of prominent New Patriotic Party (NPP) figure, Professor Albert Adu Boahen, Christopher Adu Boahen, has tragically lost his life in a robbery attack at his residence in East Legon.
According to a Facebook post by the 1995-year group of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Christopher, who was a person living with disability, encountered armed robbers in his home who forcibly entered his home, ransacked every corner, and ultimately killed him in the process.
“Sad to announce the untimely passing of our classmate, Christopher. Wicked persons entered his home, ransacked the place, and robbed him of his life. His home, at East Legon, has been barricaded by the police and declared a crime scene,” it read.
Christopher, an electrical engineering graduate from KNUST, was remembered fondly by his classmates, who shared their shock and grief over the senseless loss.
“May the soul of our brother find rest in the Lord,” the post solemnly declared.
Christopher Adu Boahen’s father was the NPP’s presidential candidate during Ghana’s first elections under the Fourth Republic in 1992.
His brother, Charles Adu Boahen, also held key positions in the Akufo-Addo government. Charles served as both a deputy minister for finance and later as a minister of state at the Ministry of Finance. His abrupt resignation in November 2022 raised eyebrows and speculation.
Prrivate legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has voiced his concerns and expressed skepticism over the characterization of Charles Adu Boahen’s influence peddling case as not constituting corruption.
In his view, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) should reevaluate the case, as the allegations against Adu Boahen, when examined more broadly, could be seen as a form of corruption, aligning with the common understanding of the term.
These remarks come in response to the OSP’s decision to clear former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, of the charge of Influence Peddling, which typically involves a person of authority or influence acting on behalf of someone else in exchange for money or favors.
Speaking on TV3, Martin Kpebu pointed out that the definition of corruption, especially when it involves using a public office for personal gain, should encompass the actions of Adu Boahen. Adu Boahen had reportedly received $40,000 in the case under investigation, and when considering his role as a political appointee, it raises significant concerns regarding potential corruption.
“When you look at the common definition of corruption being using public office for private gains, you would see that from the findings made by the OSP, Charles Adu Boahen took $40,000. If you multiply that, you get the minimum of GH¢500, 000. What for, to be able to help facilitate the meetings, etc., if that is not corruption, I don’t know what will qualify as corruption. So, that particular part is influence peddling, and so it is not corruption. I am struggling to understand it.
“It is influence peddling, but that does not mean it is the only characterisation to be given to it. Let’s use the ordinary meaning of corruption, which is that a public servant uses his office for private gain. Adu Boahen was not given the money because he was Adu Boahen, but because of where he is placed as a political appointee and he is paid from the consolidated fund, he being a public officer is not in doubt,” he said.
Furthermore, the legal practitioner emphasized the subtle distinction between influence peddling and the wider concept of corruption.
He stressed that although the OSP has concluded its investigation into the influence peddling allegation, this does not preclude the potential for future legal proceedings if new evidence surfaces.
“In the first place, the OSP report itself makes it clear that they are not closing the docket, so, in the future, it can be reopened, or if further evidence is discovered, they can be considered the same, and then they could be charged. So, it’s not been closed; it was explicitly stated in the report that that is not the end of the matter, but they are just closing it for now.
“I am thinking that, from the way the OSP has done the report, it should be going to the Attorney General for him to also look at it, but perhaps the OSP should look again. I’m struggling to understand how this isn’t corruption,” he added.
OSP On Adu Boahen: I think OSP should look at this case again because Adu Boahen took $40 000 for private gain. I'm struggling to understand how this isn't corruption. Private Legal Practitioner, Martin Kpebu#GhanaTonightpic.twitter.com/7vKnnoWDVB
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has noted that it will take up another investigation into the alleged commission of corruption and corruption-related offenses involving former Deputy Finance Minister, Charles Adu Boahen, in Tiger Eye P.I.’s Galamsey Economy documentary.
The party’s decision to probe the matter comes after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) directed the closure of investigation in respect of allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Charles Adu Boahen.
Undercover agents of Tiger Eye P.I., posing as businessmen who were interested in investing in Ghana, met with Mr. Adu Boahen and tabled their investment plans and proposals to him.
It was reported that sensing an opportunity to cash-in on his position as a Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Adu Boahen demanded twenty per cent (20%) of the value of the proposed initial investment or ten per cent (10%) upfront payment of the value of the proposed initial investment and post-investment sharing of the proceeds of the investment.
In its findings, the OSP found out that Mr. Adu Boahen politely accepted the cash gift in order not to offend the sensibility of a potential wealthy investor looking to invest half a billion United States dollars in Ghana.
According to the OSP, the indices point to the conclusion that Mr. Adu Boahen’s principal motivation was his own personal gain though he intimated to the supposed sheikh that he was driven by the potential developmental benefits to Ghana of the proposed investment.
The actions of Mr. Adu Boahen tantamount to trading in influence or influence peddling, the OSP said. This is the practice of using one’s influence or connections in public office or with persons in public office to obtain favours or preferential treatment for oneself or for another person, usually in return for payment.
These acts have not been specifically prohibited in our jurisdiction as crimes per se, the OSP noted.
“Though the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling, which is closely associated with corruption, there is no actual criminal prohibition of his acts in respect of which the OSP has a mandate to further act,” the report added.
As such, the OSP has closed its investigation and may only be re-opened should the circumstances and further facts so dictate.
In response to the report, the opposition NDC noted that the conclusion drawn by the OSP is “totally flawed and misconceived.”
The party in a statement signed by Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, explained that Mr Adu Boahen’s conduct amounts to the offense of extortion as provided under section 247 of the Criminal and Other Offenses Act, 1960 (ACT 29)
“Explanation as to Extortion. A public officer commits extortion who, under colour of office, demands or obtains from a person, whether for public purposes or for personal gain, or for any other person money or valuable consideration which the public officer knows is not lawfully authorised or at a time at which the public officer knows is not lawfully authorized to demand or to obtain that money or valuable consideration,” the statement read.
According to the NDC, the OSP’s report “smacks of a coverup” and has the potential to dampen public confidence in the Office of Special Prosecutor if not reviewed immediately.
“The conduct of Charles Adu Boahen constitutes corruption of monumental proportions and must not go unpunished,” the statement added.
As a result, the NDC says “its next government shall institute criminal investigations into this matter with the objective of prosecuting all those found culpable.”
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the report of the Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) on investigations into the alleged commission of corruption and corruption-related offenses involving former Deputy Finance Minister, Charles Adu Boahen.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has accused former Minister of State for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen of influence peddling after its investigations into allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences were visually recorded by Tiger Eye P.I. as part of its Galamsey Economy documentary.
Undercover agents of Tiger Eye P.I., posing as businessmen who were interested in investing in Ghana, met with Mr. Adu Boahen and tabled their investment plans and proposals to him.
It was reported that sensing an opportunity to cash-in on his position as a Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Adu Boahen demanded twenty per cent (20%) of the value of the proposed initial investment or ten per cent (10%) upfront payment of the value of the proposed initial investment and post-investment sharing of the proceeds of the investment.
In its findings, the OSP found out that Mr. Adu Boahen politely accepted the cash gift in order not to offend the sensibility of a potential wealthy investor looking to invest half a billion United States dollars in Ghana.
According to the OSP, the indices point to the conclusion that Mr. Adu Boahen’s principal motivation was his own personal gain though he intimated to the supposed sheikh that he was driven by the potential developmental benefits to Ghana of the proposed investment.
The actions of Mr. Adu Boahen tantamount to trading in influence or influence peddling, the OSP said. This is the practice of using one’s influence or connections in public office or with persons in public office to obtain favours or preferential treatment for oneself or for another person, usually in return for payment.
These acts have not been specifically prohibited in our jurisdiction as crimes per se, the OSP noted.
“Though the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling, which is closely associated with corruption, there is no actual criminal prohibition of his acts in respect of which the OSP has a mandate to further act,” the report added.
In response to the report, the opposition NDC noted that the conclusion drawn by the OSP is “totally flawed and misconceived.”
The party in a statement signed by Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, explained that Mr Adu Boahen’s conduct amounts to the offense of extortion as provided under section 247 of the Criminal and Other Offenses Act, 1960 (ACT 29)
“Explanation as to Extortion. A public officer commits extortion who, under colour of office, demands or obtains from a person, whether for public purposes or for personal gain, or for any other person money or valuable consideration which the public officer knows is not lawfully authorised or at a time at which the public officer knows is not lawfully authorized to demand or to obtain that money or valuable consideration,” the statement read.
According to the NDC, the OSP’s report “smacks of a coverup” and has the potential to dampen public confidence in the Office of Special Prosecutor if not reviewed immediately.
“The conduct of Charles Adu Boahen constitutes corruption of monumental proportions and must not go unpunished,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the NDC has noted that its next government shall institute criminal investigations into this matter with the objective of prosecuting all those found culpable.
“Until then, we urge the Ghanaian public to treat this report with the contempt it deserves and demand a total reversal of this disappointing decision of the OSP,” the statement concluded.
Office of the Special Prosecutor(OSP) has rounded up its investigation into alleged corrupt acts by former Minister of State in charge of finance of the office of the President, Charles Adu Boahen.
In 14-page document, the OSP provided context to make its case including imploring an interesting analogy to drum home its stance on the broader subject of sting operations or investigative journalism in Ghana.
It will be recalled that on November 14 2022, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo requested the OSP to investigate allegations of corruption and corruption- related offences involving Mr. Adu Boahen contained in an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by a celebrated Ghanaian investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
But opponents of Anas’ sting operations argued that the exposé amounts to entrapment adding that, the undercover investigative journalistic sting operations is investigative terrorism. In their estimation, this type of evidence collection amounts to harassment of the person caught in the act on camera.
The OSP sharply disagrees with these arguments.
Here’s how the OSP chooses to simplify the issue in analogy.
Let us name our first person of interest Kofi Mensah. Let us say that Kofi Mensah has no criminal record. Let us assume that Kofi Mensah is not criminally minded and he has no intention of committing a crime. Let us place Kofi Mensah at a quiet and deserted underground parking lot of an apartment building in Accra. Now, Kofi Mensah is happily whistling to himself as he leisurely strolls through the parking lot to his car. He notices a vehicle with its doors ajar. He draws closer and sees no one in the vehicle. He bends to inspect the interior of the vehicle and he sees an iPhone lying on the driver seat. Upon further inspection, he concludes that the owner of the vehicle must have purposely left the doors ajar to airdry the interior and in the process forgot to take the iPhone and left it unattended.
Kofi Mensah has several courses of action. He could simply decide to mind his own business and walk away while pondering over the carelessness of the owner of the iPhone. Afterall, the law does not require him to be a Good Samaritan. He could also, community-minded, assure by whatever means that the owner would not lose the iPhone to a criminally minded person who chances by. There is yet a third choice. Kofi Mensah could pocket the iPhone and walk off without the intention of returning it or having it returned to the owner. If Kofi Mensah takes the third course of action, he commits the crime of stealing – since by so doing he has dishonestly appropriated the iPhone without the consent of the owner.
Let us leave Kofi Mensah in his thoughts for a moment and introduce our second person of interest. Let us name our second person of interest Kwaku Kumi. Let us say that Kwaku Kumi has no criminal record. Let us say that Kwaku Kumi is not criminally minded and he has no intention of committing a crime. Let us say that Kwaku Kumi is an undercover investigative journalist. Let us say that unbeknownst to Kofi Mensah, Kwaku Kumi is the owner of the iPhone and the exposed vehicle. Let us say that Kwaku Kumi is carrying out an undercover investigative journalistic sting operation upon a tip off that burglars regularly break into vehicles at that parking lot. To verify the claims or otherwise, he intentionally arranged the scene of the unattended iPhone and exposed vehicle and hid nearby to observe the actions of passersby vis-à-vis his prop.
Kwaku Kumi approaches the scene and he immediately senses Kofi Mensah’s moral conflict and dilemma. Kwaku Kumi suggests to a startled Kofi Mensah that they should sell the iPhone and split the proceeds. Kofi Mensah initially recoils from Kwaku Kumi’s suggestion. However, upon further prompting he agrees with Kwaku Kumi and he walks out of the parking lot with the iPhone upon proposing that Kwaku Kumi should meet up with him at an agreed rendezvous for the sharing of the proceeds. Let us say that Kwaku Kumi audio- visually recorded the entire encounter from the moment Kofi Mensah walked up to the opened-up vehicle till when he walked out of the parking lot with the iPhone. Let us say that upon a tipoff by Kwaku Kumi, Kofi Mensah is apprehended by the police as he attempts to sell the iPhone. Let us say that the relatives of Kofi Mensah are incensed that but for Kwaku Kumi’s suggestion and further prompting, Kofi Mensah would never have stolen the iPhone. And they further claim that Kwaku Kumi entrapped Kofi Mensah and actively harrased him to commit the crime and that Kwaku Kumi is not an investigative journalist after all but an investigative terrorist. They are particularly incensed that Kwaku Kumi audio-visually recorded the entire crime.
Let us now introduce our third person of interest, Kwame Samson. Let us say that Kwame Samson has no criminal record. Let us assume that Kwame Samson is not criminally minded and he has no intention of committing a crime. Let us place Kwame Samson at the same parking lot and by the same exposed vehicle and iPhone. Upon seeing the iPhone on the driver seat, Kwame Samson quickly grabs the iPhone and runs out of the parking lot before Kwaku Kumi, who was hiding nearby, could approach him. Let us say that Kwame Samson is apprehended by the police as he attempts to sell the iPhone. Let us say that the relatives of Kwame Samson are utterly shocked by his actions. They had always known him as a quiet and gentle young man.
If we are to collectively engage in objective detached reflection devoid of personal biases and interests, it would seem obvious to every reasonable person that Kofi Mensah is no special and certainly no different from Kwame Samson. They are both thieves – they stole the iPhone. They did not commit a crime of necessity driven by a justifiable or excusable desire to overcome a greater harm. The factors that motivated them to steal the iPhone may be different. However, they are both criminals of opportunity. True it is that they set off initially without previous deliberation or prior or advanced plans to steal the iPhone. Yet, upon being presented with the opportunity to steal the iPhone, they calculated that the benefit to them of stealing the iPhone would outweigh the risk of being harmed or apprehended in the process. Thus, they took advantage of the situation and stole the iPhone. They had several options. They did not have to steal, as no one compelled them to steal. They acted on their own free will. It makes no
difference that in the case of Kofi Mensah he acted after the suggestion and further prompting by Kwaku Kumi. In the end, he willingly stole the iPhone. He was not under any form of force or duress exerted by Kwaku Kumi. The suggestion and further prompting to steal was not coercion. It was merely a test of moral resolve. It does seem to lie very ill in the mouths of the relatives of Kofi Mensah to assert that he would not have stolen the iPhone but for the suggestion and further prompting by Kwaku Kumi. Afterall, no one knows what is on a person’s mind. The devil himself does not know what it is on man’s mind – it is said.
Then again, it does seem to lie very foul in the mouths of the relatives of Kofi Mensah to claim that he was entrapped by Kwaku Kumi to steal the iPhone. Entrapment entails tricking an unwary person to commit a crime. The person so tricked is, by his lack of caution or prudence, unaware that he is engaged in a criminal enterprise, and he is led in that unwitting state to commit a crime. It does seem clear that Kwaku Kumi did not trick Kofi Mensah to steal the iPhone. He presented Kofi Mensah with the opportunity and suggested the benefit of the crime to him and offered him a cut of the proceeds. Kofi Mensah was not unaware that he was engaged in a criminal venture. Indeed, he knew at all times from the moment Kwaku Kumi approached him that he was being invited to a criminal adventure.
In this illustration, Kofi Mensah’s actions show that he would seize the opportunity to commit a crime if presented with one – especially where, as in this case, the benefits far outweigh the risks. And it beggars belief that the opponents of undercover investigative journalistic sting operations blame not the perpetrator of the crime but rather placate them as victims of undercover agents. And upon that perplexing altar of appeasing the evildoer, they proceed to chastise undercover agents as though they were the scourge of the earth.
Persons like Kofi Mensah are not victims of circumstances caught in a web they are unable to extricate themselves from. They are not luckless victims who unknowingly walk into a criminal den. If they are victims, then they are victims of their own begetting and their inability to willingly walk away from crime. The responsibility for the crimes they commit should be laid fully on them and not on any suggester or encourager or provider of opportunity.
On another score, it does seem to do much violence to language for the relatives of Kofi Mensah to claim that Kwaku Kumi terrorised and harassed him to steal the iPhone. Kwaku Kumi did not coerce or by any means compel Kofi Mensah to steal the iPhone. It was not akin to the gunman situation writ large – steal the iPhone or I shoot you. Kwaku Kumi’s suggestion merely emboldened Kofi Mensahand steeled his resolve. If we will not commend persons like Kwaku Kumi, certainly we should not condemn them. They are underserving of our reproach. The persons deserving of condemnation and the stamp of opprobrium are persons like Kofi Mensah. On every level, it does seem clear that the only reason why the relatives of Kofi Mensah would complained is that the morally conflicted Kofi Mensah got caught stealing an iPhone – and on camera too.
The issue of invasion of privacy may forever feature in the discourse – since the perpetrator of the crime is audio-visually recorded without his consent in sting operations. However, the Supreme Court has decided that better it is to trump a person’s right to privacy to unearth or expose the commission of a crime, especially where it is near impossible to detect the crime except by covert audio- visual recording.
In any case, it seems abundantly clear that the insistence of the opponents of undercover investigative journalistic sting operations that the right to privacy of a criminal is invaded in a sting operation is akin to requiring undercover agents to disclose to persons being investigated that they are being investigated and to enquire from them whether they would consent to be audio-visually recorded in the process of the commission of the crime. Only an overenthusiastic legal system would insist on such bizarre requirements. In any case, which criminal worth his odious calling would agree or consent to be audio-visually recorded by undercover agents in the act of the criminal’s commission of a crime.
We have deliberately taken pages to illustrate, in some detail, the arguments of the opponents of sting operations and the tenability or otherwise of such arguments. At the OSP, we do not find the arguments against undercover investigative journalistic sting operations attractive. In our gathered experience in investigating, prosecuting, and preventing corruption and corruption-related crime, it seems to us that the views of the opposers of undercover investigative journalistic sting operations go around in circles without any real utility except to provide inexcusable grounds for the benefit of persons who have a propensity to commit crimes when offered the opportunity. And the summation of the arguments of the opponents of sting operations is merely that the criminal got caught on camera in the act of committing a crime.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has released its investigative findings regarding suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses involving Charles Adu Boahen, a former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.
President Akufo-Addo on November 14, 2022 requested the OSP to investigate allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Mr. Adu Boahen contained in an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his associates operating under the corporate name of Tiger Eye P.I.
Tiger Eye P.I. audio visually recorded Mr Adu Boahen in the act of his commission of corruption and corruption-related offences. Undercover agents of Tiger Eye P.I., posing as businessmen who were interested in investing in Ghana, met with Mr. Adu Boahen and tabled their investment plans and proposals to him.
It was reported that sensing an opportunity to cash-in on his position as a Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Adu Boahen demanded twenty per cent (20%) of the value of the proposed initial investment or ten per cent (10%) upfront payment of the value of the proposed initial investment and post-investment sharing of the proceeds of the investment.
Per the OSP, as part of its investigations, it found out that in 2019 in Accra, Ahmed Hussein Suale, an operative of Tiger Eye P.I., who was shot to death tabled a proposal that the Al Baraka Banking Group were interested in investing in Ghana, particularly in the banking sector.
According to the OSP in its recently published report, convincing Mr. Adu Boahen was not a straightforward matter.
“Initially, he was altogether unreceptive of the idea of meeting with the supposed representatives of the Al Baraka Banking Group. Subsequently, he softened his stance and he suggested a meeting in Accra. The undercover agents demurred. They insisted on a meeting in Dubai. Eventually, Mr. Adu Boahen agreed to meet with the supposed representatives of the Al Baraka Banking Group in Dubai by taking a brief detour to Dubai on his way to Singapore on official government business,” a portion of the report read.
A second meeting was held and there, a supposed wealthy sheikh expressed his desire of investing about half a billion United States dollars in Africa.
Mr. Adu Boahen, intending to assure the supposed sheikh of his political office, influence and connections, is said to have launched into his family history about his father, the relationship between the President and his father, his close ties to the President, which is akin to an uncle and nephew relationship, and his close affinity to the Vice President.
“The supposed sheikh picked up on Mr. Adu Boahen’s assurances of the comfort of his high political influence and connections, and he laid the cards of the whole purpose of the sting operation on the table by enquiring as to the percentage cut Mr. Adu Boahen would take in respect of the intended investment in the financial sector in Ghana,” the report added.
After a bit of hesitation, Mr. Adu Boahen, on his own volition, suggested twenty percent (20%) of the intended investment as his cut. Mr. Adu Boahen must have meant this percentage cut demand as a shot in the dark.
The report noted that “this is because he could not believe his immense good fortune and he could not hide his utter surprise as the supposed sheikh readily agreed to his suggestion. Indeed, Mr. Adu Boahen stated that he thought the sheikh would reject the suggested percentage cut as too pricey.”
The supposed sheikh offered Mr. Adu Boahen US$40,000.00 in cash as shopping money. The supposed sheikh placed the cash on a piece of furniture close to Mr. Adu Boahen, and he accepted and collected the cash with gratitude.
During the OSP’s investigation, Mr. Adu Boahen is said to have stated that he politely accepted the cash gift in order not to offend the sensibility of a potential wealthy investor looking to invest half a billion United States dollars in Ghana.
For the OSP, it was “improper” for Charles Adu Boahen to bargain for twenty percent of the value of the proposed investment and his receipt of a cash gift of US$40,000.00 from the supposed sheikh.
Also, “Mr. Adu Boahen exhibited lack of sound judgment.”
The OSP noted that his claim that he accepted the cash gift to avoid offending the supposed sheikh lies very thinly; and his suggestion of the payment of an appearance fee of US$200,000.00 to the Vice President was quite reckless – especially as the Vice President was unaware of the business he was conducting and had not tasked him to demand money of whatever description on his behalf.
According to the OSP, the indices point to the conclusion that Mr. Adu Boahen’s principal motivation was his own personal gain though he intimated to the supposed sheikh that he was driven by the potential developmental benefits to Ghana of the proposed investment.
The actions of Mr. Adu Boahen tantamount to trading in influence or influence peddling, the OSP said. This is the practice of using one’s influence or connections in public office or with persons in public office to obtain favours or preferential treatment for oneself or for another person, usually in return for payment.
These acts have not been specifically prohibited in our jurisdiction as crimes per se, the OSP noted.
“Though the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling, which is closely associated with corruption, there is no actual criminal prohibition of his acts in respect of which the OSP has a mandate to further act,” the report added.
As such, “the Special Prosecutor directs the closure, at this time, of the investigation in respect of allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Charles Adu Boahen contained in the investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by Tiger Eye P.I.”
The investigation may be re-opened should the circumstances and further facts so dictate.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has called on Parliament to work expeditiously in passing the Corrupt Practices Act into law to codify the prohibition of all forms of corruption in the country.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) made the clarion call after directing the closure of investigation in respect of allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving former Minister of State for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen.
President Akufo-Addo on November 14, 2022 requested the OSP to investigate allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Mr. Adu Boahen contained in an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his associates operating under the corporate name of Tiger Eye P.I.
Tiger Eye P.I. audio visually recorded Mr Adu Boahen in the act of his commission of corruption and corruption-related offences. Undercover agents of Tiger Eye P.I., posing as businessmen who were interested in investing in Ghana, met with Mr. Adu Boahen and tabled their investment plans and proposals to him.
It was reported that sensing an opportunity to cash-in on his position as a Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Adu Boahen demanded twenty per cent (20%) of the value of the proposed initial investment or ten per cent (10%) upfront payment of the value of the proposed initial investment and post-investment sharing of the proceeds of the investment.
Per the OSP, as part of its investigations, it found out that in 2019 in Accra, Ahmed Hussein Suale, an operative of Tiger Eye P.I., who was shot to death tabled a proposal that the Al Baraka Banking Group were interested in investing in Ghana, particularly in the banking sector.
According to the OSP in its recently published report, convincing Mr. Adu Boahen was not a straightforward matter.
“Initially, he was altogether unreceptive of the idea of meeting with the supposed representatives of the Al Baraka Banking Group. Subsequently, he softened his stance and he suggested a meeting in Accra. The undercover agents demurred. They insisted on a meeting in Dubai. Eventually, Mr. Adu Boahen agreed to meet with the supposed representatives of the Al Baraka Banking Group in Dubai by taking a brief detour to Dubai on his way to Singapore on official government business,” a portion of the report read.
A second meeting was held and there, a supposed wealthy sheikh expressed his desire of investing about half a billion United States dollars in Africa.
Mr. Adu Boahen, intending to assure the supposed sheikh of his political office, influence and connections, is said to have launched into his family history about his father, the relationship between the President and his father, his close ties to the President, which is akin to an uncle and nephew relationship, and his close affinity to the Vice President.
“The supposed sheikh picked up on Mr. Adu Boahen’s assurances of the comfort of his high political influence and connections, and he laid the cards of the whole purpose of the sting operation on the table by enquiring as to the percentage cut Mr. Adu Boahen would take in respect of the intended investment in the financial sector in Ghana,” the report added.
After a bit of hesitation, Mr. Adu Boahen, on his own volition, suggested twenty percent (20%) of the intended investment as his cut. Mr. Adu Boahen must have meant this percentage cut demand as a shot in the dark.
The report noted that “this is because he could not believe his immense good fortune and he could not hide his utter surprise as the supposed sheikh readily agreed to his suggestion. Indeed, Mr. Adu Boahen stated that he thought the sheikh would reject the suggested percentage cut as too pricey.”
The supposed sheikh offered Mr. Adu Boahen US$40,000.00 in cash as shopping money. The supposed sheikh placed the cash on a piece of furniture close to Mr. Adu Boahen, and he accepted and collected the cash with gratitude.
During the OSP’s investigation, Mr. Adu Boahen is said to have stated that he politely accepted the cash gift in order not to offend the sensibility of a potential wealthy investor looking to invest half a billion United States dollars in Ghana.
For the OSP, it was “improper” for Charles Adu Boahen to bargain for twenty percent of the value of the proposed investment and his receipt of a cash gift of US$40,000.00 from the supposed sheikh.
“Mr. Adu Boahen exhibited lack of sound judgment. His claim that he accepted the cash gift to avoid offending the supposed sheikh lies very thinly; and his suggestion of the payment of an appearance fee of Two Hundred Thousand United States dollars (US$200,000.00) to the Vice President was quite reckless – especially as the Vice President was unaware of the business he was conducting and had not tasked him to demand money of whatever description on his behalf,” the OSP added.
According to the OSP, the indices point to the conclusion that Mr. Adu Boahen’s principal motivation was his own personal gain though he intimated to the supposed sheikh that he was driven by the potential developmental benefits to Ghana of the proposed investment.
The actions of Mr. Adu Boahen tantamount to trading in influence or influence peddling, the OSP said. This is the practice of using one’s influence or connections in public office or with persons in public office to obtain favours or preferential treatment for oneself or for another person, usually in return for payment.
These acts have not been specifically prohibited in our jurisdiction as crimes per se, the OSP noted.
“Though the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling, which is closely associated with corruption, there is no actual criminal prohibition of his acts in respect of which the OSP has a mandate to further act,” the report added.
The OSP notes that the non-prohibition of most predicate acts of corruption and corruption-related offences engenders impunity of malevolent conduct and the erosion of democratic tenets, which spawn formidable hurdles in the fight against corruption, especially in the public sector.
“On this score, the OSP calls for the passage of a Corrupt Practices Act to comprehensively codify the prohibition of all forms of corruption. Further, the OSP joins up with the positively persistent calls of the pressure group, OccupyGhana for the passage of a Conduct of Public Officers Act to properly regulate the conduct of public officers,” the report added.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has vindicated Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia over his alleged involvement in a influence peddling claim in investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his associates operating under the corporate name of Tiger Eye P.I.
In the documentary published in 2022, former Minister of State for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, was accused of demanding an appearance fee of US$200,000.00 from one sheikh in order to see the Vice President.
As part of its investigations into the matter, the OSP confirmed that the former Minister of State for Finance did suggest the payment of an appearance fee.
However, in a report detailing its holistic investigation, the OSP noted that “the Vice President was unaware of the business he was conducting and had not tasked him to demand money of whatever description on his behalf.”
According to the OSP, Charles Adu Boahen’s claim that he accepted the cash gift to avoid offending the supposed sheikh lies very thinly; and his suggestion of the payment of an appearance fee of US$200,000.00 to the Vice President was “quite reckless.”
When news surrounding the appearance fee emerged in November last year, the Vice President in a Facebook post noted that he is “not aware of any such meeting held by Minister Adu Boahen or a supposed “appearance fee”.
According to Dr Bawumia, his most cherished asset in life is his integrity, thus, “I will not allow anyone to use my name to engage in corrupt activities.”
He called for the dismissal of Mr Charles Adu Boahen should he be found culpable of the allegations levelled against him.
“I would like to state that if what the minister is alleged to have said is accurately captured in the video, then his position as a minister of state is untenable. He should be dismissed summarily and investigated,” he wrote.
The actions of Mr. Adu Boahen, according to the OSP tantamount to trading in influence or influence peddling. This is the practice of using one’s influence or connections in public office or with persons in public office to obtain favours or preferential treatment for oneself or for another person, usually in return for payment.
These acts have not been specifically prohibited in our jurisdiction as crimes per se, the OSP noted.
“Though the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling, which is closely associated with corruption, there is no actual criminal prohibition of his acts in respect of which the OSP has a mandate to further act,” the report added.
As such, the Special Prosecutor has directed the closure, at this time, of the investigation in respect of allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Charles Adu Boahen contained in the investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by Tiger Eye P.I.
The investigation may be re-opened should the circumstances and further facts so dictate.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has accused former Minister of State for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen of influence peddling after its investigations into allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Mr. Adu Boahen contained in an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his associates operating under the corporate name of Tiger Eye P.I.
Tiger Eye P.I. audio visually recorded Mr Adu Boahen in the act of his commission of corruption and corruption-related offences. Undercover agents of Tiger Eye P.I., posing as businessmen who were interested in investing in Ghana, met with Mr. Adu Boahen and tabled their investment plans and proposals to him.
It was reported that sensing an opportunity to cash-in on his position as a Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Adu Boahen demanded twenty per cent (20%) of the value of the proposed initial investment or ten per cent (10%) upfront payment of the value of the proposed initial investment and post-investment sharing of the proceeds of the investment.
As such, President Akufo-Addo on November 14, 2022 requested the OSP to investigate allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Mr. Adu Boahen contained in an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his associates operating under the corporate name of Tiger Eye P.I.
Per the OSP, as part of its investigations, it found out that in 2019 in Accra, Ahmed Hussein Suale, an operative of Tiger Eye P.I., who was shot to death tabled a proposal that the Al Baraka Banking Group were interested in investing in Ghana, particularly in the banking sector.
According to the OSP in its recently published report, convincing Mr. Adu Boahen was not a straightforward matter.
“Initially, he was altogether unreceptive of the idea of meeting with the supposed representatives of the Al Baraka Banking Group. Subsequently, he softened his stance and he suggested a meeting in Accra. The undercover agents demurred. They insisted on a meeting in Dubai. Eventually, Mr. Adu Boahen agreed to meet with the supposed representatives of the Al Baraka Banking Group in Dubai by taking a brief detour to Dubai on his way to Singapore on official government business,” a portion of the report read.
A second meeting was held and there, a supposed wealthy sheikh expressed his desire of investing about half a billion United States dollars in Africa.
Mr. Adu Boahen, intending to assure the supposed sheikh of his political office, influence and connections, is said to have launched into his family history about his father, the relationship between the President and his father, his close ties to the President, which is akin to an uncle and nephew relationship, and his close affinity to the Vice President.
“The supposed sheikh picked up on Mr. Adu Boahen’s assurances of the comfort of his high political influence and connections, and he laid the cards of the whole purpose of the sting operation on the table by enquiring as to the percentage cut Mr. Adu Boahen would take in respect of the intended investment in the financial sector in Ghana,” the report added.
After a bit of hesitation, Mr. Adu Boahen, on his own volition, suggested twenty percent (20%) of the intended investment as his cut. Mr. Adu Boahen must have meant this percentage cut demand as a shot in the dark.
The report noted that “this is because he could not believe his immense good fortune and he could not hide his utter surprise as the supposed sheikh readily agreed to his suggestion. Indeed, Mr. Adu Boahen stated that he thought the sheikh would reject the suggested percentage cut as too pricey.”
The supposed sheikh offered Mr. Adu Boahen US$40,000.00 in cash as shopping money. The supposed sheikh placed the cash on a piece of furniture close to Mr. Adu Boahen, and he accepted and collected the cash with gratitude.
During the OSP’s investigation, Mr. Adu Boahen is said to have stated that he politely accepted the cash gift in order not to offend the sensibility of a potential wealthy investor looking to invest half a billion United States dollars in Ghana.
According to the OSP, the indices point to the conclusion that Mr. Adu Boahen’s principal motivation was his own personal gain though he intimated to the supposed sheikh that he was driven by the potential developmental benefits to Ghana of the proposed investment.
The actions of Mr. Adu Boahen tantamount to trading in influence or influence peddling, the OSP said. This is the practice of using one’s influence or connections in public office or with persons in public office to obtain favours or preferential treatment for oneself or for another person, usually in return for payment.
These acts have not been specifically prohibited in our jurisdiction as crimes per se, the OSP noted.
“Though the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling, which is closely associated with corruption, there is no actual criminal prohibition of his acts in respect of which the OSP has a mandate to further act,” the report added.
As such, “the Special Prosecutor directs the closure, at this time, of the investigation in respect of allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Charles Adu Boahen contained in the investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by Tiger Eye P.I.”
The investigation may be re-opened should the circumstances and further facts so dictate.
For the OSP, it was “improper” for Charles Adu Boahen to bargain for twenty percent of the value of the proposed investment and his receipt of a cash gift of US$40,000.00 from the supposed sheikh.
“Mr. Adu Boahen exhibited lack of sound judgment. His claim that he accepted the cash gift to avoid offending the supposed sheikh lies very thinly; and his suggestion of the payment of an appearance fee of Two Hundred Thousand United States dollars (US$200,000.00) to the Vice President was quite reckless – especially as the Vice President was unaware of the business he was conducting and had not tasked him to demand money of whatever description on his behalf,” the OSP added.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has directed the closure of investigation in respect of allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving former Minister of State for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen.
President Akufo-Addo on November 14, 2022 requested the OSP to investigate allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Mr. Adu Boahen contained in an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his associates operating under the corporate name of Tiger Eye P.I.
Tiger Eye P.I. audio visually recorded Mr Adu Boahen in the act of his commission of corruption and corruption-related offences. Undercover agents of Tiger Eye P.I., posing as businessmen who were interested in investing in Ghana, met with Mr. Adu Boahen and tabled their investment plans and proposals to him.
It was reported that sensing an opportunity to cash-in on his position as a Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Adu Boahen demanded twenty per cent (20%) of the value of the proposed initial investment or ten per cent (10%) upfront payment of the value of the proposed initial investment and post-investment sharing of the proceeds of the investment.
Per the OSP, as part of its investigations, it found out that in 2019 in Accra, Ahmed Hussein Suale, an operative of Tiger Eye P.I., who was shot to death tabled a proposal that the Al Baraka Banking Group were interested in investing in Ghana, particularly in the banking sector.
According to the OSP in its recently published report, convincing Mr. Adu Boahen was not a straightforward matter.
“Initially, he was altogether unreceptive of the idea of meeting with the supposed representatives of the Al Baraka Banking Group. Subsequently, he softened his stance and he suggested a meeting in Accra. The undercover agents demurred. They insisted on a meeting in Dubai. Eventually, Mr. Adu Boahen agreed to meet with the supposed representatives of the Al Baraka Banking Group in Dubai by taking a brief detour to Dubai on his way to Singapore on official government business,” a portion of the report read.
A second meeting was held and there, a supposed wealthy sheikh expressed his desire of investing about half a billion United States dollars in Africa.
Mr. Adu Boahen, intending to assure the supposed sheikh of his political office, influence and connections, is said to have launched into his family history about his father, the relationship between the President and his father, his close ties to the President, which is akin to an uncle and nephew relationship, and his close affinity to the Vice President.
“The supposed sheikh picked up on Mr. Adu Boahen’s assurances of the comfort of his high political influence and connections, and he laid the cards of the whole purpose of the sting operation on the table by enquiring as to the percentage cut Mr. Adu Boahen would take in respect of the intended investment in the financial sector in Ghana,” the report added.
After a bit of hesitation, Mr. Adu Boahen, on his own volition, suggested twenty percent (20%) of the intended investment as his cut. Mr. Adu Boahen must have meant this percentage cut demand as a shot in the dark.
The report noted that “this is because he could not believe his immense good fortune and he could not hide his utter surprise as the supposed sheikh readily agreed to his suggestion. Indeed, Mr. Adu Boahen stated that he thought the sheikh would reject the suggested percentage cut as too pricey.”
The supposed sheikh offered Mr. Adu Boahen US$40,000.00 in cash as shopping money. The supposed sheikh placed the cash on a piece of furniture close to Mr. Adu Boahen, and he accepted and collected the cash with gratitude.
During the OSP’s investigation, Mr. Adu Boahen is said to have stated that he politely accepted the cash gift in order not to offend the sensibility of a potential wealthy investor looking to invest half a billion United States dollars in Ghana.
For the OSP, it was “improper” for Charles Adu Boahen to bargain for twenty percent of the value of the proposed investment and his receipt of a cash gift of US$40,000.00 from the supposed sheikh.
“Mr. Adu Boahen exhibited lack of sound judgment. His claim that he accepted the cash gift to avoid offending the supposed sheikh lies very thinly; and his suggestion of the payment of an appearance fee of Two Hundred Thousand United States dollars (US$200,000.00) to the Vice President was quite reckless – especially as the Vice President was unaware of the business he was conducting and had not tasked him to demand money of whatever description on his behalf,” the OSP added.
According to the OSP, the indices point to the conclusion that Mr. Adu Boahen’s principal motivation was his own personal gain though he intimated to the supposed sheikh that he was driven by the potential developmental benefits to Ghana of the proposed investment.
The actions of Mr. Adu Boahen tantamount to trading in influence or influence peddling, the OSP said. This is the practice of using one’s influence or connections in public office or with persons in public office to obtain favours or preferential treatment for oneself or for another person, usually in return for payment.
These acts have not been specifically prohibited in our jurisdiction as crimes per se, the OSP noted.
“Though the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling, which is closely associated with corruption, there is no actual criminal prohibition of his acts in respect of which the OSP has a mandate to further act,” the report added.
As such, “the Special Prosecutor directs the closure, at this time, of the investigation in respect of allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Charles Adu Boahen contained in the investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by Tiger Eye P.I.”
The investigation may be re-opened should the circumstances and further facts so dictate.
Former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng has in his recent interview with American-based pan-African publication Africawatch, implicated Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and former Deputy Finance Minister Charles Adu Boahen in a “shady” US$88,247,246.63 million judgement debt situation that transpired in 2020.
According to Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, he received a letter from the Ministry of Finance in July 2020, requesting his approval for the payment of a judgement debt to Apex Pollution Control Company, which had signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment in 2014 to carry out monitoring of vehicle emissions, but the project was not implemented at all.
“Sometime in July 2020, when I was at the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, I received a letter from the Ministry of Finance, requesting my approval for the payment of a judgment debt to the tune of US$88,247,246.63, please let me repeat it, US$88,247,246.63, to Apex Pollution Control Company. I could not believe my eyes. It had a lot of red flags.
The Ministry of Environment had signed an agreement with the company in 2014 to carry out monitoring of vehicle emissions, but the project was not implemented at all,” he told Africawatcheditor Steve Mallory.
“The company claimed it invested $6,613,520.63 in the project and sought a judgement debt,” Prof. Frimpong-Boateng explained. Yet, it wasn’t just the initial investment being claimed; an additional $20,006,226 was being sought for a return on investment, and a staggering $61,627,500 for lost income over 13 years. “This came up to a whopping $88,247,246.63,” he emphasised, expressing shock at the figures that confronted him.
“The Apex Pollution Control Company was going to get about $82 million for doing no work. So shocking!,” he is quoted to have said.
Suspecting foul play, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng took his concerns to the top. “I confronted Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta about it, and he told me Charles Adu Boahen, the then Deputy Minister for Finance, was probably behind it.” His alarm escalated when emissaries from Apex Pollution Control Company extended a US$5 million bribe to him, seeking to expedite the approval process. Standing firm in his integrity, he declined: “I rejected it and told them to disappear from my office.”
Faced with these irregularities, the Professor claims he took a step further, writing to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to communicate his inability to sanction such a questionable judgement debt.
“I did not get any response,” he disclosed, referring to the silence that followed his message to the president.
According to the cardoithorasic surgeon, he was subsequently removed from the President’s second-term administration. Still, he remains undeterred and at peace, knowing he acted within the nation’s best interests.
“Whoever serves in the president’s adminis- tration is his prerogative, so one cannot talk about that. He can fire any minister any time and one must reckon with that. But I am at peace with myself, ” he added.
74-year-old, King Charles III, who will be installed on Saturday, was the oldest royal to ascend the throne in a1,000-year-old lineage when he replaced his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, following her death in September. The late Queen ruled ruled for 70 years.
Charles does not enjoy the same support as his widely admired mother, but his public approval ratings are generally positive. An opinion poll last week showed many more people hold favourable views of him than negative although there is also a wide segment expressing indifference.
Republican sentiment – which was almost entirely absent publicly during Elizabeth’s reign – has become visible with eggs thrown at the king and his wife, Camilla, on one trip and small groups of protesters voicing opposition at others.
Buckingham Palace has supported research into the monarchy’s links to slavery as calls grow for apologies and reparations, not least from some of the 14 Commonwealth realms, where Charlesis also king.
The Guardian newspaper has run a series of articles raising questions about the opaque nature of the wealth and finances of the institution and the royal family, an issue that resonates at a time when Britons are facing a cost of living crisis.
A 7-year-old Charles sits with his mother and younger sister, Princess Anne, as they watch the final match of the Smith’s lawn polo cup in Windsor, England, on June 23, 1956. [File: AP]
In this July 27, 1958, photo, Prince Charles wears his school uniform. He became the first heir apparent to the British throne to attend school rather than have a private tutor. [File: AP]Prince Charles arrives at London Airport from Glasgow on April 2, 1964, at a time when he was a student at Gordonstoun School in northeast Scotland, which his father, Prince Philip, also attended. [File: AP]An 18-year-old Prince Charles leaves Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth in a state coach on October 31, 1967, for the opening of parliament. It was the first time the prince took part in the ceremony. [File: AP]Queen Elizabeth II crowns her son the Prince of Wales during his investiture ceremony on July 1, 1969, at Caernarfon Castle in Wales. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is seated at the right, and British Home Secretary James Callaghan stands next to the prince. [File: AP]Prince Charles and Tricia Nixon, daughter of US President Richard Nixon, discuss baseball at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, on July 18, 1970, during a trip the prince made to the US capital with his sister, Princess Anne, after they had visited Canada with their parents. [File: AP]Prince Charles walks with Imelda Marcos, first lady of the Philippines, in Katmandu on February 24, 1975, at the coronation ceremony for Nepal’s King Birendra. [File: AP]Prince Charles drinks from a freshly cut green coconut at Haripur village, which he visited during a one-day trip to Bhubaneswar, India, on December 4, 1980. The prince is wearing a marigold garland, which was given to him by villagers. [File: Santosh Basak/AP]Prince Charles wed Diana, Princess of Wales, on July 29, 1981. The couple appeared with his parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London after their marriage at St Paul’s Cathedral. [File: AP]Charles and Diana take home their firstborn son, Prince William, from St Mary’s Hospital in London on June 22, 1982, the day after his birth. [File: John Redman/AP]Charles and Diana made their second trip to Australia together in 1985 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the state of Victoria, named after Charles’s great-great-great-grandmother. [File: AP]Charles greets models wearing clothing from a local designer during a tour of Soweto, South Africa, on November 3, 2011. [File: Kim Lubbrook/pool/AP]Charles speaks after a performance by the Australian Chamber Orchestra at St James Palace in central London on December 12, 2011. [File: Lefteris Pitarakis/pool/AP]After preparing for the crown his entire life, Charles was king on April 28, 2023, when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police presented him with a horse named Noble as he accepted the role of commissioner-in-chief of the police force at Windsor Castle. At the age of 73, he had become the oldest person to ever assume the British throne when Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022. [File: Andrew Matthews/pool/AP]
Member of Parliament for Assin Central and a flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kennedy Agyapong has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to apologize to Charles Adu Boahen, a former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry.
This call comes at the back of the termination of Charles Adu Boahen’s appointment as a Minister of State at the Finance Ministry by President Akufo-Addo on Monday, November 14, 2022, as a result of Anas Aremeyaw Anas’s “Galamsey Economy” exposé.
Mr Agyapong believes that Adu Boahen’s dismissal, which followed an exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, was unfair and unjust.
This call from Mr Agyapong comes after a High Court in Accra dismissed a GH¢25 million defamatory suit against him by Anas.
He said: “I think the NPP, President Akufo-Addo, and the Vice President should apologize to Adu Boahen for what they have done to him because of a simple thing that Anas did.
“They have disgraced Adu Boahen and based on the judgement, the President must apologize to him. They cannot sacrifice innocent people like that”.
The judge described Anas’ work as “investigative terrorism” rather than investigative journalism.
Mr Agyapong took the opportunity to express his belief that Adu Boahen was treated unfairly and that the NPP, President Akufo-Addo, and the Vice President should apologize to him.
Mr Adu Boahen was dismissed from his position in November 2022 after allegations were made against him in Anas’ exposé titled “Galamsey Economy.”
The exposé allegedly captured Adu Boahen asking an investor to pay him $200,000 for a meeting with the Vice President. Adu Boahen was also alleged to have promised the investor that some of his relatives would be employed to enable his investment to begin early.
After the allegations were made, Vice President Dr. Bawumia called for Adu Boahen to be summarily dismissed and investigated. The President referred the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations.
According to an internal assessment, the government would typically lose somewhere around GH800 million if it had to pay all the taxes that the trotro or commercial transport companies are demanding.
Is all of this money lost? “No, that’s the solution,” he said.
“I really think we need to find a way – either it’s a fast-track court or whatever it is – to be able to really just focus on ensuring that people are brought to book; that for me is the biggest deterrent.
“We can put in place all the structures and so on, but if people are not punished for acts they committed there is no deterrent – and therefore they will get back to doing the same old thing.”
Read the full story originally published on November 5, 2019, by thebftonline
Even though the government through the Attorney-General has charged a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the defunct Capital Bank, William Ato Essien, for his alleged role in the collapse of the bank and two others, Mr. Adu Boahen reckons stringent sanctions are needed to prevent a recurrence.
Speaking as one of the panelists at the closing of the 8th Ghana Economic Forum (GEF) in Accra, he stated: “I think one thing that has not worked well is the sanctions/punishments for those who perpetrated criminal acts; and that has been primarily because the courts have not worked as they should.
“I really think we need to find a way – either it’s a fast-track court or whatever it is – to be able to really just focus on ensuring that people are brought to book; that for me is the biggest deterrent.
“We can put in place all the structures and so on, but if people are not punished for acts they committed there is no deterrent – and therefore they will get back to doing the same old thing.”
He also suggested a credit rating system for banks, which will help with their interest rates and loans.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) in 2017 embarked on a comprehensive reform agenda to strengthen the regulatory and supervisory framework for a more resilient banking sector.
A total of 16 universal banks which once operated in the country have been collapsed within two years as part of measures taken by the Bank of Ghana to cleanse the banking sector and make it more robust.
On her part, Elsie Awadzi – a Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, emphasised that reforms undertaken by the central bank have made the banking sector better – and urged the banks to deploy more technology in their operations.
A senior partner at KPMG, Andrew Osei Akoto, commended the BoG for the “bold” measures it introduced into the banking sector, and added that it is time institutions are held to account in order to get the best of them to snowball into multinationals.
Renowned investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has refuted dismissed allegations of extortion and blackmail against him after releasing his latest exposè the “Galamsey economy”.
A statement signed by the Ghanaian journalist said “some persons have resorted to mudslinging and lies” against its CEO Anas following the release of the undercover documentary that led to the dismissal of a Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.
Mr Adu Boahen was sacked after the investigative prior to the airing of the investigative piece. He is currently the subject of an investigation by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng.
“Tiger Eye PI notes, that, these are antics by the perpetrators of corruption and their collaborators, to distract from the facts of our recent exposé…we challenge anyone with evidence of crime against Anas Aremeyaw Anas, to without hesitation, make same available to the relevant state authorities.”
“To reiterate without equivocation, Tiger Eye PI has NEVER, either through its agents or third parties, demanded monies from persons busted by Tiger Eye PI in the cause of our work, including the Number 12 and Galamsey Fraud exposés for the stories to be dropped.
“Per the internal operating procedures and integrity mechanisms within Tiger Eye, it’s IMPOSSIBLE for any of our agents to demand bribes to drop a story. The sheer frivolity and incoherence of these allegations have been exposed times without number by Tiger Eye PI.”
Below is the full statement:
TIGER EYE RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS OF EXTORTION AND BLACKMAIL
Following the release of the Galamsey Economy exposè which focused on exposing the pervasive rot that is affecting the economy and investor confidence in Ghana, some persons have resorted to mudslinging and lies against the CEO of Tiger Eye PI, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. A video, made up of rehashed allegations from 2018 have been circulated on social media networks and other messaging platforms. Tiger Eye hereby responds to the contents of the said video, containing details which we have refuted on countless occasions.
Tiger Eye PI dismisses all the allegations including extortion and blackmail against Anas Aremeyaw Anas. These allegations are imagined and fabricated, with no basis in reality. Tiger Eye PI notes, that, these are antics by the perpetrators of corruption and their collaborators, to distract from the facts of our recent exposé. It also merits the question: why do such allegations only surface when there is an exposé?
In the said video, Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi’s wife is seen and heard, sometime in 2018 on Metro TV, alleging that some persons had contacted her husband to pay some amount of money ($100,000) in order to drop the #12 exposé. When this allegation was first made, Anas Aremeyaw Anas challenged Mr Nyantakyi and his wife to sue him or whoever did what they’re alleging, or report him/her to the police for extortion if they think their stale allegation is true (https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Sue-me-for-extortion-blackmail-if-I-asked-for-100k-bribe-Anas-dares-Nyantakyi-s-wife-703414). It’s however important to note that, she, as well as the trumpeters of the said allegation, fail to mention anyone’s
name. As we speak, Mr Nyantakyi is standing trial for fraud and corruption. If this allegation were true, it would be absurd that he would not go any length to put whoever made those demands for bribes before the law especially when through Tiger Eye’s anti-corruption operations, he has lost his job.
It’s important to note that, the champion of these spurious allegations, Mr Kennedy Agyepong (also seen in the video), who splashed the photos of the late Ahmed Suale on his NET 2 TV prior to his assassination, is in court with Anas Aremeyaw Anas in a defamation suit. When he challenged the professional integrity of Anas as a lawyer at the General Legal Council, he was handed a defeat. Again, he has already lost the first round of defamation suit against him by Mr Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, where the court found his allegations to be unfounded and empty.
In the video, portions show Mr Charles Bissue’s false claims. Tiger Eye refuted his false claims recently, extensively. (https://www.myjoyonline.com/full-text-anas-vs-charles-bissue-on-galamsey-deals/). We reiterate that those claims of demands for bribes to drop the Galamsey Fraud exposé, are false and without merit.
It’s interesting that whenever these claims are made, those alleging fail to mention specific names nor produce evidence to buttress their claims. They don’t also take bold steps to report such things to law enforcement agencies for them to be dealt with per law. This should alert every watcher, that, these claims are wanton and must be treated as such.
In the video, a man in a cornrow whom another claimed was Anas, was being accused of land grabbing. On humanitarian grounds, we wish to iterate that circulating videos of persons and tagging them as ANAS could put innocent persons at risk as they might get caught up and targeted in a case of mistaken identity. We further wish to state for the record that Anas Aremeyaw Anas, CEO of Tiger Eye has NEVER forcefully or illegally dispossessed anyone of his/her land and hasn’t been involved in an altercation as being purported. No court has found him guilty of illegal land expropriation.
Tiger Eye is fully aware that this particular allegation is being championed by one Kweku Annan who was sacked from NET 2 for professional misconduct. Suffice to say, Kweku Annan was exposed by Tiger Eye demanding bribes to spew lies about Anas Aremeyaw Anas (https://www.adomonline.com/fallout-from-12-radio-broadcaster-admits-taking-money-accuses-anas-of-bad-faith/). Subsequently, Tiger Eye took him to the National Media Commission (NMC) for redress on his allegations (https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/video-anas-petitions-nmc-to-investigate-hot-fm-presenter-for-unethical-media-practice.html), where he couldn’t substantiate a single claim, leading to the issuance of a restraining order against him by the NMC. Once again, we challenge anyone with evidence of wrongdoing in the nature of unlawful expropriation of lands to proceed to the appropriate State agency for further action.
To reiterate without equivocation, Tiger Eye PI has NEVER, either through its agents or third parties, demanded monies from persons busted by Tiger Eye PI in the cause of our work, including the Number 12 and Galamsey Fraud exposés for the stories to be dropped. Per the internal operating procedures and integrity mechanisms within Tiger Eye, it’s IMPOSSIBLE for any of our agents to demand bribes to drop a story. The sheer frivolity and incoherence of these allegations have been exposed times without number by Tiger Eye PI.
Tiger Eye PI, has at all times, after its investigations, taken extra steps to assist relevant State authorities to investigate the findings of our investigations. Anas Aremeyaw Anas has testified in courts, has been cross examined, and has been a subject of multiple suits for his works. None of these suits, since the over two decades of dedicated service to uncover crimes, has been successful.
We challenge anyone with evidence of crime against Anas Aremeyaw Anas, to without hesitation, make same available to the relevant State authorities.
Tiger Eye PI remains unwavering in its commitment to fight graft and crimes using sting operations (Anas principle), and absolutely nothing, be they threats or baggage of spurious allegations, will stop us from holding duty bearers accountable in the interest of God and Country.
Despite a petition filed against him by undercover investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Justice Emile Francis Short, a former Commissioner at the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative (CHRAJ), has clarified that the Finance Minister won’t be requested to resign by the commission.
According to him, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is the only person who can make such decisions.
On November 22, Short explained to Accra-based TV3 how the investigation into conflicts of interest works.
“I don’t know exactly what the issue is, but basically, when CHRAJ receives a complaint it will send it to the person against whom the complaint is made and that person has to respond within a specified period, normally ten days. The response will be sent back to the complainant, in this case, Anas, for his response.
“CHRAJ will not ask the Finance Minister to stay out of office, that is the matter for the President to determine.”
Joseph Whittal, CHRAJ Commissioner said the Commission received an official complaint from the undercover journalist and is assessing the materials presented to it.
“The allegations are that there is a conflict of interest in terms of their official duties as public officers and the companies in which they have interest in terms of government bonds and so the case is going through the standard process of assessment in order to make sure that it meets the procedural requirement under the Commission’s regulation as well as whether it is really within the mandate of the Commission. Based on that, we will then decide what next steps to take,” Whittal told Accra-based Joy News.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has also commenced investigations into the same corruption allegations levelled against Charles Adu Boahen in the exposé after President Akufo-Addo’s referral of the matter to the Office.
Charles Adu Boahen was dismissed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after allegations that he received some monies to facilitate a meeting between undercover investigators disguised as investors and Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Per a Tiger Eye PI documentary dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’, Adu Boahen said Bawumia could be paid $200,000 as an appearance fee for investors. This is in addition to positions offered to the Vice President’s siblings – a claim the dismissed Minister of State has denied.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta when he appeared before the ad-hoc committee hearing a vote of censure against him denied being embroiled in a conflict of interest as stated in the allegations by the Minority that his company, Databank Limited have been benefitting from transactions on government bond issuance.
Ofori-Atta said the proponents’ allegations do not have “weight for censure”.
Black Star Brokerage, owned by Charles Adu Boahen, has also been named as one of the firms playing the role of financial advisors to government transactions on the international bond market.
In his appeal, Anas urged the Commission to examine into claims that Ghana’s loans and bonds were used to benefit the private firms of both the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, and the previous Minister of State for the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.
In a radio appearance, CHRAJ Commissioner Joseph Whittal stated that the Commission has received a formal complaint from the undercover journalist and is currently reviewing the information provided.
“The allegations are that there is a conflict of interest in terms of their official duties as public officers and the companies in which they have interest in terms of government bonds and so the case is going through the standard process of assessment in order to make sure that it meets procedural requirement under the Commission’s regulation as well as whether it is really within the mandate of the Commission. Based on that, we will then decide what next steps to take,” Whittal told Accra-based Joy News.
Charles Adu Boahen was dismissed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after allegations that he demanded some monies to facilitate a meeting between undercover investigators disguised as investors and Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Per Tiger Eye PI documentary dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’, Adu Boahen said Bawumia could be paid $200,000 as an appearance fee for investors. This is in addition to positions offered to the Vice President’s siblings – a claim the dismissed Minister of State has denied.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta when he appeared before the ad-hoc committee hearing a vote of censure against him denied being embroiled in a conflict of interest given the allegations by the Minority that his company, Databank Limited have been benefitting from transactions on government bond issuance.
Ofori-Atta said the proponents’ allegations do not have “weight for censure”.
Black Star Brokerage, owned by Charles Adu Boahen, has also been named as one of the firms playing the role of financial advisors to government transactions on the international market.
Senyo Hosi, a financial and economic policy specialist, has narrowed down a list of Ghanaians who are knowledgeable about economic issues and could succeed Ken Ofori-Atta as finance minister.
Senyo thinks that the moment has come for the President to appoint someone who will boost investor confidence while fostering national political stability.
“It is time for a technocratic and meritocratic selection of one truly acknowledged and approved by the financial markets and across the political divide,” he wrote in an open letter to the president.
For the now vacant position of a minister of state in charge of finance after Charles Adu-Boahen’s sack, Senyo Hosi noted that the Finance Ministry must lead the charge as the size of government remains a challenge and a cause of worry for many Ghanaians.
He said: “As the size of government remains one of concern, there is no doubt that the Ministry of Finance should lead the way in its resizing.”
“ I recommend the following for consideration as the replacement for the Minister of State for Finance,” he added.
1. Mr. Kwamena Asomaning – CEO, Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited
2. Mansa Nettey – CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana
3. Alex Emmanuel Asiedu – Head of Investments, Africa Region, Standard Bank
4. Prof. Festus Ebo Turkson – Economist & Lecturer, University of Ghana
5. Josephine Anan-Ankomah – Group Executive- Commercial, Ecobank Group.
He however concluded by adding that “Your Excellency, the above names are just to give tangibility to the concept advised. I believe there are other equally competent candidates you may consider, but I, nonetheless, urge you to consider the guiding principle expatiated above – put the national interest above all else. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Your current position is truly not envied.
“I have often said the presidency is easily the loneliest job in the world. Almost everyone, including your conjugants, is in pursuit of your influence for their private gain. You still will have to make a call!” Senyo noted.
Former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Senyo Hosi, has suggested to President Akufo-Addo five financial experts who should head the Finance Ministry instead of Ken Ofori-Atta.
The personalities suggested include; First Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Maxwell Opoku Afari, Former Ecobank Group CEO, Mr. Albert Essien, Former President of GAB and current Chairman, ESLA PLC, Mr. Simon Dornoo, Former Governor, BoG, Dr. Paul Acquah and Tax Policy Expert, Lawyer, Economist & Lecturer, Dr. Abdallah Ali-Nakyea.
In an open letter to the president, Mr Hosi, stated categorically a replacement has become inevitable since “none of your current MPs and Ministers can offer what this market needs.”
According to him, the country requires appointees who will uphold fiscal discipline against party political considerations, a situation that is currently not the case.
“It is time for a technocratic and meritocratic appointment of one truly respected and accepted by the financial markets and across the political divide,” he added.
Mr Hosi noted that there are other equally competent candidates the President can choose from, nonetheless, “I urge you to consider the guiding principle expatiated above – put the national interest above all else. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”
Following his submission, he told the President “the power is yours,” a catchphrase by Captain Planet, his favourite cartoon character.
His request comes at a time when several Ghanaians including the Minority in Parliament have voted a no confidence in Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, who is supposed to ensure the smooth running of the economy.
Mr Ofori-Atta risks losing his job as he is currently facing a censure motion filed by the Minority in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Mr Hosi wants the President to consider some five personalities for the role of Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, a position formerly held by Charles Adu Boahen.
The five are Mr. Kwamena Asomaning – CEO, Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited, Mansa Nettey – CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, Alex Emmanuel Asiedu – Head of Investments, Africa Region, Standard Bank, Prof. Festus Ebo Turkson – Economist & Lecturer, University of Ghana and Josephine Anan-Ankomah – Group Executive- Commercial, Ecobank Group.
Mr Adu Boahen was dismissed by the President after he was accused by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, of corruption-related activities.
Former Special Prosecutor has accused President Nana Akufo-Addo of sacrificing the dismissed Minister of State for the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen for political expediency.
Mr. Martin Amidu said the dismissal of Mr. Adu Boahen should have taken place in 2018. Again, if the President was serious about his fight against corruption, Mr. Adu Boahen would not have been promoted from Deputy Minister in the first term to a Minister of State during the second term of President Akufo-Addo.
“The President who was already under pressure from rebel members of his majority caucus to remove Adu Boahen from office for the economic mess caused by the President’s management of the country, chose to sacrifice him for political expediency,” he said.
This comes on the heels of President Akufo-Addo terminating Mr. Adu Boahen’s appointment after being sighted in investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ documentary dubbed “Galamsey economy.”
In the said documentary, Mr Adu Boahen said that Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia needed $200,000 as an appearance fee to meet prospective investors.
Mr. Adu Boahen is said to have told the undercover investigators who posed as investors that Dr. Bawumia would also require some positions from the investor for his siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
However, Mr Amidu, explaining the reason for his assertion, said that the “alleged suspected corruption offence for which Charles Adu Boahen’s appointment was terminated on 14 November 2022 was committed on 8 February 2018 in his capacity as a Deputy Minister for Finance under the 7th Parliament and Government of the Fourth Republic whose tenure ended on 6 January 2021.”
He further stated that “the suspected corruption on 8 February 2018 was known to the Government through Kennedy Agyapong who had obtained a copy of the videotape and did not make a secrete of it to the Government. Nonetheless, Adu Boahen was paid his end-of-service benefits for his services to that Government.”
According to Mr. Amidu, although the documentary was recorded in 2018, with government having a copy, “The President nominated Charles Adu Boahen for approval by Parliament as Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance under the 8th Parliament and Government of the Fourth Republic in January 2021.”
He added that during the vetting period, Tiger Eye PI, on the other hand, failed to confront Parliament about his eligibility.
According to him, the excuse given by Tiger Eye PI “that Kennedy Agyapong had intercepted the videotape on the 8th February 2018 suspected corruption by Adu Boahen is spurious, naive, and untenable, to be told only to the marines.”
“In this information technologic and communications age, no experienced covert investigation agent such as Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Tiger Eye PI would put all its eggs in one basket by having one original video record after the 8 February 2018 event without spiriting a back-up or pack-ups into the cloud.”
Since the release of the undercover investigation documentary by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, many have questioned why the undercover investigative journalist will entice his culprits with money and persuade them to accept the money as a gift.
This modus operandi by Anas Aremeyaw Anas has been described by many as entrapment but the celebrated undercover journalist has been explaining why he exposed Charles Adu Boahen in his latest undercover investigative documentary dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’.
According to him, his Tiger Eye P.I. decided to investigate people like Charles Adu Boahen, the dismissed Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, who have the power of the state to make deals that are attractive for investors.
He said in an article published on Monday, November 14, 2022, that corruption has been a major factor that is killing investor confidence in the country, therefore, it is appropriate to go undercover and expose all those making Ghana unpopular to investors and also expose those who have decided to cut deals at the expense of the state.
“Tiger Eye investigates the highs and the mighties. This time, our cameras infiltrated the impermeable underworld of the handlers whose seals make the deals that make Ghana attractive for investors or not.
“Many reports have cited corruption as the number one killer of investor confidence in Ghana. The banking sector crisis further exacerbated the already fragile situation of investor confidence.
“Who are those making Ghana unattractive for investment? What’s their modus operandi? Where do they operate from? Tiger Eye penetrates and exposes the handlers who cut deals at the expense of the state,” Anas Aremeyaw Anas explained in a post on his Facebook timeline.
Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, was by the president fired for reportedly negotiating an ‘appearance fee’ with ‘investors’ on behalf of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
In Anas’ documentary, the former minister among other things alleged that Dr. Bawumia will require about USD200,000 as an appearance fee from an investor to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
“You mean, like appearance fees and stuff?” the investigators asked, to which Adu Boahen responded: “I mean he, himself (the Vice President), if you give him some (USD) 200,000 or something as a token, as thank you, appreciation, that’s fine. He’s not really, he’s not really (like) that. All he needs is to worry about his campaign money in 2020,” he said.
But Dr. Bawumia in a statement on Monday, November 14, denied the accusations and called for an investigation into the allegations.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Presidency announcing the dismissal of Adu Boahen as a Minister of State said, “After being made aware of the allegations levelled against the Minister in the exposé, ‘Galamsey Economy’, the President spoke to Mr Adu Boahen, after which he took the decision to terminate his appointment, and also to refer the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations.”
The statement signed by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications added that the President thanked Mr Adu Boahen for his strong services to his government since his appointment in 2017 and wished him well in his future endeavours.
What Kweku Baako said about Anas’ undercover investigation.
Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, defended the modus operandi his protégé, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, employs in his undercover investigations.
To him, Anas will continue to use the undercover methodology to unearth any and all negatives within society whether it pleases his critics or not.
Addressing the Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Tiger Eye P.I. modus operandi in a Facebook comment, Kweku Baako agreed, however, that it is ok for those who do not agree with Anas and his methodologies to ask questions.
“People are entitled to ask questions of Tiger Eye and its “methodologies”. That’s fair game. No problem. Tiger Eye will continue to unearth any and all “negatives” applying its “methodologies” whether its critics like it or not!” he wrote.
Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah, has questioned the principles and mode of operations of Investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
Anas in his documentaries expose state officials including judges and politicians. The latest to have been exposed is former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen who was filmed engaging in influence peddling.
Reacting to the exposé, the Legislator said Charles Adu Boahen was compelled to take the hefty amount of dollars given to him as a ‘token’ although it was not right to have accepted the offer.
He argued that the edited footage which was shown to the public seemed to distort the whole story, thus the investigative journalist should air the full documentary for purposes of fairness to the implicated state official.
“I have nothing against Anas. I think he is also doing his best to contribute to fighting corruption, but he should do it in a way that would not seem like he has planned, he has built up conspiracy game theory to get people into trouble and for Ghanaians to have opinions.
“Many extracts that I have gotten from all of you indicated that Charles was very reluctant that does not also mean he was right in accepting the offers and so it was something like he was intimidated, it was put through his throat,” he said on Newsfile, Saturday.
Dr. Stephen Amoah, therefore, believes that the award-winning investigative journalistmust reconsider his mode of operations such that he avoids putting his subjects in awkward situations.
“I think Anas should redefine a new paradigm shift, the way he does his things so that you not really force or put people in a situation where they might not have gotten themselves into…let us look at the fact that one, he was intimidated, two, most of the offers were initiated by those who actually wanted to implicate him in the situation.”
Speaking on the same show, the Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah expressed displeasure with the principles explored by Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
Although he admits that the conduct by Charles Adu-Boahen is condemnable, Mr. Braimah contended that the “forcefulness” and “persistence” from Anas to offer gifts raises questions.
“Per what we watch in number 12 and the forcefulness, the persistence, the request, the inducement then makes it difficult for us to conclude that ordinarily if the conversation had gone on, would Mr. Adu Boahen eventually say now that we have concluded, how much will you give me and all of that we cannot conclude,” he noted.
Currently, the Special Prosecutor is investigating the corruption allegations against Charles Adu Boahen.
Asaase radio, a pro-NPP media outlet, said in a report that Anas’ agents met with the Finance Minister in Dubai. They claimed that during their five-minute conversation, the minister became annoyed when the Tiger Eye team tried to ‘entrap’ him with a financial gift.
According to the report, Tiger Eye P.I. agents pretended to be investors looking to make investments in Ghana and required a meeting with the minister to explore potential and other business-related matters.
It further established that the investigators had earlier met with Charles Adu Boahen, Ofori-Atta’s deputy back in 2018, in a hotel suite in the United Araba Emirates, UAE, where the now dismissed Adu Boahen was given monies in lieu of helping the investors get access to among other Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
After their meeting, they then proceeded to meet with Ken Ofori-Atta briefly at the Dubai airport while he was on transit to Tokyo on an official assignment.
The report said neither the minister nor his PA accepted the money gift from the Tiger Eye P.I. team.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta was informed the meeting was with the Chairman of Al Baraka Islamic Bank of Bahrain, whose interest was to invest $500m to set up an “ethical” bank in Ghana.
“The meeting, per our checks, lasted some five minutes. Ken Ofori-Atta left very irritated when he was offered a “gift”, which he refused to accept, and walked out with his PA who was also offered a gift that was rejected as well,” the Asaase radio report added.
“The last time I checked, Tiger Eye has no video depicting any interaction with Ken Ofori-Atta! None!
“Assuming without admitting that there were attempts to “entrap” Ken Ofori-Atta, and the attempts proved unsuccessful? What would that mean? That Adu Boahen failed the “test of integrity” while Ofori-Atta succeeded? Or?” he quizzed.
Baako, however, explained that documentaries are to tell a story and not exhibits in criminal investigations but rather the “raw footages” of the documentary are what can be used as exhibits in criminal proceedings.
He said, any time a project of Tiger Eye P.I. has become a subject of criminal prosecutions, the Tiger Eye P.I. team submits the “raw footages” as part of their exhibits in court.
“By the way, documentaries are not exhibits in criminal investigations and/or prosecutions. The RAW FOOTAGES are. And the latter have always been submitted to the relevant statutory authorities for the purposes of criminal investigations and prosecutions that were triggered by undercover ops by/of Tiger Eye!
“People are entitled to ask questions of Tiger Eye and its “methodologies”. That’s fair game. No problem. Tiger Eye will continue to unearth any and all “negatives” applying its “methodologies” whether its critics like it or not!
“For now, Tiger Eye has indicated its readiness to assist the investigation announced by the Special Prosecutor; upon the presidential referral of the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen to the OSP! DUE PROCESS is underway. That’s where Tiger Eye’s FOCUS is!
“Those who want to continue asking questions and criticising “methodologies” and perceived/alleged omissions of Tiger Eye, are entitled to continue! FREE SPEECH!!” Kweku Baako stressed.
Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, mentor and Godfather of investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has responded to news of patrons being disappointed after viewing the latest undercover investigative piece of Anas Aremeyaw Anas. Mr Baako is of the view that they’re entitled to their judgement of the work.
He added that despite their disappointment, the President has taken action in the aftermath of the investigation by firing the implicated Minister of State in Charge of Finance Charles Adu Boahen and referring him to the special prosecutor for investigations.
“Patrons are entitled to their judgment! The outcome is that the President who’s an experienced lawyer has terminated an appointment and made a referral to the OSP. And Tiger Eye is prepared to help the investigations with further and better particulars! For God and Country, we move forward!,” Mr Baako wrote.
Many who thought the investigative piece was going to be explosive have been left disappointed after viewing the documentary dubbed Galamsey Economy -Ahmed Last Investigation. Some contend that the nature of the exposé did not meet their expectations given that it was just a repeat of someone engaged in influence peddling and receiving a gift.
But Mr Baako has defended the piece, insisting that the outcome is good enough .
It has now been established that the ‘Galamsey Economy’ documentary by Anas Aremeyaw Anas had footage from 2018 forming the juiciest part, an alleged bust of a Minister of State soliciting bribes for others and and receiving same for himself.
In opening up on the extent of his involvement in the episode that has since gotten him fired by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, embattled Charles Adu Boahen, said his encounter with investigators clothed a business men was on 8 February 2018.
Whereas he accepted a gift of undisclosed amount of dollars, a pro-government radio station, Asaase Radio, is reporting that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta turned out to be the major target of the Tiger Eye PI agents.
Read relevant portions of the Asaase Radio report of November 14 below:
They were to have their chance, they thought, when after several attempts Mr. Ofori-Atta agreed to meet them at the airport in Dubai on transit to Tokyo, Japan.
In the company of his then Personal Assistant (PA), Michael Bediako, Mr. Ofori-Atta met the supposed investors (investigators) at the Dubai terminal hotel (Dubai International Airport) on 5 April 2018 at around 6:30am.
The meeting, per our checks, lasted some five minutes. Ken Ofori-Atta left very irritated when he was offered a “gift”, which he refused to accept, and walked out with his PA who was also offered a gift that was rejected as well.
Background
Charles Adu Boahen, then a deputy Minister of Finance was implicated in the ‘Galamsey Economy’ investigative documentary released by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas on November 14.
The now dismissed minister was captured on tape making comments to the effect that access by investors to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia could be facilitated at a cost of US$200,000.
Bawumia has dispelled the allegations and insisted that his integrity remains his most cherished asset in life.
“My most cherished asset in life is my integrity and I will not allow anyone to use my name to engage in corrupt activities,” Bawumia said in a post calling for the minister’s dismissal.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has since terminated Adu Boahen’s appointment and referred the contents of the investigation to the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has released another groundbreaking exposé dubbed “Galamsey Economy.”
This documentary captures government officials, including Minister for State in Charge of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen who was recently dismissed by President Akufo-Addo for peddling his influence by requesting $200,000 from an investor (Tiger Eye PI agent) in exchange for audience with Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia.
Below is the full video of the much anticipated documentary.
The embattled minister of finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, was reportedly annoyed by an attempt to give him money as a gift from some alleged investors who were actually members of Anas Aremeyaw Anas’s undercover investigative journalism team.
The Tiger Eye P.I. investigators, according to a report seen by GhanaWeb, pretended to be investors who wanted to invest in Ghana and needed to meet the Finance Minister to explore opportunities and other aspects of establishing up in Ghana.
The report states that the investigators previously met with Charles Adu Boahen, Ofori-deputy, Atta’s in a hotel suite in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, back in 2018. There, the now-fired Adu Boahen was paid money in exchange for facilitating access for the investors to people like Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who allegedly accepted a US$200,000 “appearance fee” to meet investors.
Following their discussion with them, they went on to briefly meet Ofori-Atta in the Dubai airport as he was traveling to Tokyo for work.
According to the report, the minister was irate because neither he nor his PA received the financial gift from the Tiger Eye P.I. team.
“They were to have their chance, they thought when after several attempts Mr. Ofori-Atta agreed to meet them at the airport in Dubai on transit to Tokyo, Japan,” Asaase radio reportage stated.
“In the company of his then Personal Assistant (PA), Michael Bediako, Mr. Ofori-Atta met the supposed investors (investigators) at the Dubai terminal hotel (Dubai International Airport) on 5 April 2018 at around 6:30 am.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta was informed the meeting was with the Chairman of Al Baraka Islamic Bank of Bahrain, whose interest was to invest $500m to set up an “ethical” bank in Ghana.
“The meeting, per our checks, lasted some five minutes. Ken Ofori-Atta left very irritated when he was offered a “gift”, which he refused to accept, and walked out with his PA who was also offered a gift that was rejected as well,” the report added.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ latest ‘Galamsey Economy’ exposed Charles Adu Boahen, the dismissed Minister of State at the Finance Ministry over an alleged corruption scandal.
Anas in a post on his Facebook timeline hours before the showing of the ‘Galamsey Economy’ film noted that the minister made some shocking revelations to his team in a hotel in UAE, when they posed as possible investors to Ghana.
Adu Boahen among other things alleged that Bawumia will require about USD200,000 as an appearance fee from an investor to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
“You mean, like appearance fees and stuff?” the investigators asked, to which Adu Boahen responded: “I mean he, himself (the Vice President), if you give him some (USD) 200,000 or something as a token, as thank you, appreciation, that’s fine. He’s not really, he’s not really (like) that. All he needs is to worry about his campaign money in 2020.”
But Dr. Bawumia in a statement on Monday, November 14, denied the accusations and called for an investigation into the allegations.
A Security and Foreign Policy Analyst, Adib Saani has said he has no confidence in the Office of the Special Prosecutor to do a good job in the investigation of corruption levelled against Charles Adu Boahen, the sacked Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.
The Special Prosecutor on Tuesday announced that he had started a probe into allegations of corruption levelled against the former Minister.
This comes after the Secretary to the President, upon the directions of the President, referred to the Office of the Special Prosecutor for further investigations, allegations contained in an investigative exposé published by Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Tiger Eye P.I. titled “Galamsey Economy”.
Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of State in charge of Finance at the Office of the President, captured in an undercover documentary, revealed to Tiger Eye that the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, needs just USD200,000 token as an appearance fee and some positions by an investor for the Vice President’s siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
This revelation was made in a meeting with Tiger Eye investigators, who in an undercover investigation, posed as businessmen, in a hotel room in the United Arab Emirates. This was an investigation into top-level corruption that undermines investor confidence in Ghana.
But commenting further in an interview on Ghana Kasa show on Kasapa 102.5FM/Agoo TV, Adib Saani stated that the public should not expect anything progressive from the Office of the Special Prosecutor as it has not done much in the past to prove its efficiency.
“I have absolutely no trust in the Office of the Special Prosecutor. The number of cases that, that office is investigating and the way some of the matters have been treated leaves much to be desired. For instance, the Labianca case. You see, the Special Prosecutor’s Office is a political office and the same people who appointed the Special Prosecutor are the very people he will be investigating.
“So, you don’t expect anything progressive to come out of that Office’s investigations. Who has the Special Prosecutor’s Office successfully prosecuted? So, as for that office, to be honest, it’s not worth saying so much about it or attaching much seriousness to it,” Mr. Saani stated.
Ninety-eight New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament have resolved to boycott the budget presentation and all Finance Ministry-related business should the President refuse to sack Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta immediately.
This new number is an increase from the previous 80 NPP MPs who had earlier demanded the removal of the Finance Minister and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu-Boahen.
According to the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, who doubles as spokesperson for the group, Ofori-Atta’s position in government has become untenable, hence the fresh demand for his resignation.
His comment comes after the group had earlier relaxed its demand following a meeting with the President, Nana Akufo-Addo.
In a statement signed by Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, President Akufo-Addo had appealed for the sector minister to be allowed to stay till after the budget presentation and appropriation of same, to which the MPs had agreed.
However, with the Finance Minister now facing a vote of censure from the Minority side of Parliament, the NPP MPs are convinced it is time for him to leave.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Appiah-Kubi said, “We’ve gone back to (our demand for the President to) sack him now and therefore should the budget be presented under the stamp of the Finance Minister, we’ll not participate because as far as we’re concerned we’re never going to do business with him.
“And if we’re not going to do business with him, he does not participate in any process from the Presidency to the House. We will not participate in deliberations too.”
He noted that the only way the President will get them to participate in the budget presentation and appropriation is if someone else from government is appointed to present the budget.
“We’re not saying we won’t do President’s business. We’re saying we won’t do President’s business through Ofori-Atta. So if anybody else comes with President’s business, we’ll participate,” he said.
Mr. Andy Appiah-Kubi also told host, Evans Mensah that the new resolution is the outcome of a meeting held on Tuesday, November 15, which was attended by 98 NPP MPs to reconsider their collective position after they agreed to relax their initial stance.
The identity of a civil servant who is currently a Principal Economics Officer at the Ministry of Finance (MoF), believed to be the first port of call for Tiger Eye P.I. investigators in their endeavour to secure contact with the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and the then Deputy Minister for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, has been revealed to Asaase News by a reliable source.
The civil servant, Solomon Amponsah, who works at the External Resource Mobilization and Economic Relation Division of the Ministry of Finance, is believed to have received a call from the late Ahmed Hussein-Suale, a Tiger Eye P.I. investigator, who suggested to Mr Amponsah to arrange a meeting between him (Ahmed Hussein-Suale), a Ghanaian Lawyer and the two Ministers of Finance in Dubai, towards a desire to open a bank in Ghana with about $500 million dollars.
Subsequently, the Ghanaian lawyer and Charles Adu-Boahen on the strength of the arrangement made by Solomon Amponsah, met with the undercover team posing as investors in a hotel suite in Dubai on 8 February, 2018, just 13 months after the Akufo-Addo administration assumed office.
After the meeting with Charles Adu Boahen, Tiger Eye’s next move was to meet the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta. Solomon Amponsah, came in handy again to continue with his arrangements towards a meeting between the Finance Minister and the Tiger Eye P.I. investigators who had posed as investors in Dubai.
They (Tiger P.I) were to have their chance, they thought, when after several attempts Mr Ofori-Atta agreed to meet them at the airport in Dubai on transit to Tokyo, Japan.
In the company of his then Personal Assistant (PA), Michael Bediako, Mr Ofori-Atta, met the supposed investors (investigators) at one of the terminal hotels at the Dubai International Airport hotel on Sunday 8 November 2018 at around 6:30am.
Mr Ofori-Atta according to the source, was informed the meeting was with the Chairman of Al Baraka Islamic Bank of Bahrain, whose interest was to invest $500m to set up an “ethical” bank in Ghana.
The meeting, per our checks, which had Mr Solomon Amponsah, and the Ghanaian lawyer present, lasted some five minutes. Ken Ofori-Atta, left very peeved when he was offered a “gift”, which he refused to accept, and walked out with his PA who was also offered a gift that was rejected as well.
It remains to be seen if these engagements with Solomon Amponsah were part of the Tiger Eye P.I. investigation and whether or not it will feature in future releases by Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
A member of the NPP communications team, Adomako Baafi, has raised concerns over the referral of Charles Adu Boahen to the Office of the Special Prosecutor for further investigations on allegations of corruption in the investigative exposé, ‘Galamsey Economy‘.
According to him, there is a conflict of interest as the Special Prosecutor was once the lawyer for investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas in the case between former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi and Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
“The president referred Adu Boahen’s case to the Special Prosecutor. My worry is that the same Special Prosecutor is Anas’ lawyer. So, why will the president give him a case involving Adu Boahen? There is a conflict of interest here because how come the Special Prosecutor is Anas’ lawyer,” the MP noted.
In a press release, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Adjabeng, said his office has commenced an investigation into the actions of Charles Adu Boahen and any other implicated persons contained in the investigative exposé, ‘Galamsey Economy’.
Charles Adu Boahen alleged on video that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia needs just USD 200,000 as an ‘appearance fee’ and some positions from an investor for his siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
Host of Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom-Otchere has criticised the modus operandi of investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, following his recent expose implicating Minister of State for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen.
According to the journalists, he ever escaped two attempts of entrapment when some people sought to cause him to implicate himself.
“These things happen all the time and I have had experiences that I will share with you. First one happened many years ago in 2006 or 2007. I had some job to do in Takoradi so I was in a car going to Takoradi with two or three friends of mine.”
“The guy called me with some Arab sounding tone, he says he likes my programme and I said okay. Then he says he wants to appear on my programme. I said Okay you can appear on my programme, what do you want to say? He says he wants to talk about how my programme is good but the reason why he is calling me is that he wanted to know how much it costs to appear on my programme,” he recounted.
Paul Adom-Otchere noted that despite the insistence of the caller, he declined the invitation from the man who said he will ‘treat him well’
“I said please I am not interested in you making me happy. I am happy already, if you want to do something on the programme go to commercial,” he stated.
The programme host added that it later turned out that the call was a prank call from programme aired on Peace FM.
He further recalled his second experience where another anonymous caller sought to induce him with a proposal of leading him to meet the president.
“2018 or 2019, somebody called me and says he has 19 million dollars to give to Bank of Ghana but he is having difficulty in bringing the money to the Bank of Ghana so he called me. I said so what do you want me to do? He says I want you to take me the president and I said really? You want to bring money to Ghana and you want to go to the president, okay, go to Bank of Ghana and talk to them about it or go to finance ministry and talk to them about it.”
“Then he said I have 54 million. I said your 19 has now jumped to 54? He said yes, we have a lot of money we want to bring to Ghana but we want influential people we can take us…” he recalled.
He noted that he ignored the proposal by the anonymous caller insisting that he takes his business proposal to the appropriate government quarters.
“Should we be doing that as a country? I don’t agree. Should we engender, facilitate and encourage this kind of way in which we find corruption? I am not sure we should do that,” he cautioned.
Aremeyaw Anas’s latest exposé dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’ has compelled President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to sack the Minister of State in Charge of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen from office.
Charles Adu Boahen on video alleged that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia needs just USD200,000 as an ‘appearance fee’ and some positions by an investor for his siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
Ken Ofori-Atta,the embattled Minister of Finance, was reportedly irritated by an attempt by some alleged investors – who in reality were members of Anas Aremeyaw Anas’s camp – to give him money as a gift.
According to a report, Tiger Eye P.I. investigators pretended to be investors looking to invest in Ghana, and thus needed to meet with the Finance Minister to discuss opportunities and other modalities of doing business in Ghana.
According to the report, the investigators had earlier met with Charles Adu Boahen, Ofori-Atta’s deputy back in 2018, in a hotel suite in United Araba Emirates, UAE, where the now dismissed Adu Boahen was given monies in lieu of helping the investors get access to among other Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who allegedly took a US$200,000 ‘appearance fee’ to meet investors.
After meeting with them, they then proceeded to meet with Ofori-Atta briefly at the Dubai airport whiles he was on transit to Tokyo on an official assignment.
The report established that neither the minister nor his PA accepted the money gift from the Tiger Eye P.I. team leaving the minister irritated.
“They were to have their chance, they thought when after several attempts Mr. Ofori-Atta agreed to meet them at the airport in Dubai on transit to Tokyo, Japan,” Asaase radio reportage stated.
“In the company of his then Personal Assistant (PA), Michael Bediako, Mr. Ofori-Atta met the supposed investors (investigators) at the Dubai terminal hotel (Dubai International Airport) on 5 April 2018 at around 6:30 am.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta was informed the meeting was with the Chairman of Al Baraka Islamic Bank of Bahrain, whose interest was to invest $500m to set up an “ethical” bank in Ghana.
“The meeting, per our checks, lasted some five minutes. Ken Ofori-Atta left very irritated when he was offered a “gift”, which he refused to accept, and walked out with his PA who was also offered a gift that was rejected as well,” the report added.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ latest ‘Galamsey Economy’ exposed Charles Adu Boahen, the dismissed Minister of State at the Finance Ministry over an alleged corruption scandal.
Anas in a post on his Facebook timeline hours before the showing of the‘Galamsey Economy’ film noted that the minister made some shocking revelations to his team in a hotel in UAE, when they posed as possible investors to Ghana.
Adu Boahen among other things alleged that Bawumia will require about USD200,000 as an appearance fee from an investor to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
“You mean, like appearance fees and stuff?” the investigators asked, to which Adu Boahen responded: “I mean he, himself (the Vice President), if you give him some (USD) 200,000 or something as a token, as thank you, appreciation, that’s fine. He’s not really, he’s not really (like) that. All he needs is to worry about his campaign money in 2020.”
But Dr. Bawumia in a statement on Monday, November 14, denied the accusations and called for an investigation into the allegations.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, has been accused of accepting sizable sums of money from a business tycoon in the United Arab Emirates to assist him in establishing a business in Ghana, according to a report published by Tiger Eye PI ahead of its Galamsey Economy exposé, which will air on November 14 and 15.
Charles Adu Boahen reportedly received large sums of money to help a businessman start a company in Ghana. This is according to Tiger Eye PI.
“We’re going to shop a lot,”
Charles Adu Boahen, a minister of state in the ministry of finance, remarked as he placed the main trading currency in a dark plastic bag.
The Tiger Eye PI team also noted that Mr Adu Boahen promised to rope in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Vice, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia into this business deal for there to be a smooth running of operations, as well as, make the tycoons influential persons in the country.
“Adu Boahen, after having bundles of US dollars spread on a table in front of him and told to use it for shopping by the supposed business tycoon, promised to introduce the tycoon to the powers that be; the President, HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Vice President, in Ghana. This, according to Adu Boahen, will make them, the supposed entity and tycoon, influential when they are in the country to establish their businesses,” part of Tiger Eye PI’s release read.
“After all is said and done, the excited Minister of State in charge of Finance at the Office of the President, at the sight of bundles of US Dollars on the table for his shopping started spewing a lot of ‘thank you and we will do a lot of shopping’ in appreciation,” he added.
The premiere of the Galamsey Economy exposé will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre on Monday and Tuesday, November 14 and 15, 2022.
Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sacked Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry.
Charles Adu Boahen was fired from his job as Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance on November 14, 2022, which he had held since early 2021.
His termination was announced in a letter from the president, which cited his accusation in the investigative film “Galamsey Economy” produced by Tiger Eye PI, the company run by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
His recent woes are allied to comments he made to investigators posing as investors who wanted access to big people in government. Adu Boahen reportedly boasted about his links to the Vice President and how a fee of US$200,000 could get his buy-in.
GhanaWeb footage of his vetting in 2017, captures how Adu Boahen boasted about his investment prowess only for him to travel to the United Arab Emirates in 2018 where he took monies intending to help investors get access to DR. Mahamudu Bawumia.
He told the vetting Committee: “Mr. Chairman, I have over 18 years of experience in the finance industry, fundraising, attracting investments into Ghana through my two companies, I think we have seen over 30 million dollars of investment into Ghana, both in real estate and in other activities.
“Asset management as well, so I think I can understand any of the capital markets, so, based on what my minister would like me to do, I believe I could add value….” he is heard stressing.
Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry was implicated in the ‘Galamsey Economy’ investigative documentary released by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas on November 14.
The now-dismissed minister was captured on tape making comments to the effect that access by investors to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia could be facilitated at a cost of US$200,000.
Bawumia has dispelled the allegations and insisted that his integrity remains his most cherished asset in life.
“My most cherished asset in life is my integrity and I will not allow anyone to use my name to engage in corrupt activities,” Bawumia said in a post calling for the minister’s dismissal.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has since terminated Adu Boahen’s appointment and referred the contents of the investigation to the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
The Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his Deputy John Kumah must also leave office immediately, a member of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) Bernard Mornah has said.
In his view, Mr Ofori-Atta is not the answer to the economic challenges facing Ghanaians.
“Investors don’t have confidence in the economy because of Ofori-Atta,” he said on the Big Issue on TV3 with Berla Mundi on Tuesday November 15.
He added ” John Kumah said they will not go to the IMF but today we are at the IMF.”
He was contributing to a discussion on the sacking of the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry Charles Adu Boahen.
President Akufo-Addo has sacked Mr Adu Boahen.
“The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has terminated the appointment of the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Charles Adu Boahen, with immediate effect.
“After being made aware of the allegations levelled against the Minister in the exposé, ‘Galamsey Economy’, the President spoke to Mr. Adu Boahen, after which he took the decision to terminate his appointment, and also to refer the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations.
“The President thanked Mr. Adu Boahen for his strong services to his government since his appointment in 2017, and wished him well in his future endeavours,” a statement issued by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin said on Monday November 14.
Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has revealed that undercover footage belonging to investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas was stolen and sold by an unnamed ally in 2018.
He explained in a Facebook comment that the very incident was partly the reason why Anas used 2018 footage to expose corruption on the part of Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, in his latest exposé titled ‘Galamsey Economy.’
Baako said the theft coupled with the death of the lead investigator in 2019, that is Ahmed Hussein Suale, impacted the specific investigation, adding further that it was only after backup files had been accessed that the Tiger Eye PI team decided to go ahead with the latest expose.
Baako wrote about the videos in response to a Facebook comment: “Somebody “stole and sold” it to somebody; thinking the evidence had been deleted forever! The “buyer” went out boasting about his possession for years for whatever reason nobody could tell! Apparently, the real “owners/authors” subsequently discovered an extra copy! Today’s story begins from there. PAY ATTENTION!”
Today’s story from the above quote refers to a publication in the New Crusading GUIDE’s November 14 edition in which Anas – a co-publisher of the paper along with Baako – wrote about the minister’s deeds and misdeeds.
The documentary was subsequently screened twice at the Accra International Conference Center, AICC.
In further explanations on the Facebook wall of a pro-Bawumia activist relative to the alleged footage thief, Kweku Baako explained that it happened to be the same guy (unnamed) who doctored a video of Akufo-Addo allegedly taking bribes in 2016.
“Same guy who fabricated a video of Candidate Akufo-Addo receiving a donation from a lady supporter of the NPP in his Nima residence in 2016 when Akufo-Addo was not President but tried to make it look as if he was the President!” he explained.
Baako is also on record to have stated that the Vice President had not been in any way implicated by the documentary just as president Akufo-Addo was not implicated in the Number 12 documentary in which he was mentioned by former Ghana Football Association, GFA, president, Kwesi Nyantakyi; as someone who could be influenced with money.
Background
Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry was implicated in the ‘Galamsey Economy’ investigative documentary released by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas on November 14.
The now dismissed minister was captured on tape making comments to the effect that access by investors to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia could be facilitated at a cost of US$200,000.
Bawumia has dispelled the allegations and insisted that his integrity remains his most cherished asset in life.
“My most cherished asset in life is my integrity and I will not allow anyone to use my name to engage in corrupt activities,” Bawumia said in a post calling for the minister’s dismissal.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has since terminated Adu Boahen’s appointment and referred the contents of the investigation to the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Charles Adu Boahen, the dismissed Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, has opened up about how investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his Tiger Eye P.I team in 2018, attempted to entrap him.
According to him, he did not involve himself in the act the journalist is accusing him of in his latest undercover investigation dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy.’
In a statement issued on the morning of November 14, 2022, following the release of a newspaper version of the exposé, Adu Boahen indicated that “It has come to my attention that a documentary to be aired by Tiger Eye PI, and an article published in the Crusading Guide on (14 November 2022) seeks to accuse me of brokering deals for the Vice President of the Republic.
“This follows an attempt to entrap myself and other persons in 2018. Substantively, I have not been involved in this act of which I am being accused.”
He continued: “I do not however wish to be a distraction to Government and the Ministry of Finance at this crucial moment.
“Consequently, I have submitted my resignation to the President of the Republic. I will however look forward to a full investigation which I hope will reveal that I have not committed this act.” The post has since been deleted from his Facebook handle.
Adu Boahen, the dismissed Minister of State was indicted in the latest undercover investigative piece by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
Anas in a post on his Facebook timeline barely hours before the premiering of his investigative piece dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’ noted that the minister made some shocking revelations to his team in a hotel in UAE, when they posed as possible investors to Ghana.
He said, Adu Boahen alleged the vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will require about USD200,000 as an appearance fee from an investor to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
He said, when his Tiger Eye PI team met Adu Boahen in the UAE, he spoke about Bawumia’s financial demands before agreeing to assist any investor.
“You mean, like appearance fees and stuff? I mean he, himself (the Vice President), if you give him some (USD) 200,000 or something as a token, as thank you, appreciation, that’s fine. He’s not really, he’s not really (like) that. All he needs is to worry about his campaign money in 2020,” Charles Adu Boahen is quoted to have said.
But Dr. Bawumia in a statement on Monday, November 14, denied the accusations and called for an investigation into the allegations.
The message from the dismissed minister has since been deleted.
Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, Executive Assistant & Head of Social Media, Office of the President, has chastised investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas over his latest investigative work dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy‘.
He described the investigative work of the journalist as ‘sheer wickedness and evil’.
The Presidential Staffer noted that Anas Aremeyaw Anas is known for recording people and editing them to suit his narrative, something that the former Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyantakyi suffered in the Number 12 documentary by Tiger Eye PI, Anas’ investigative firm.
He extended his criticism to Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, Anas’ boss when he was commenting on the investigative work which triggered the dismissal of Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of State in charge of Finance.
“I’m soo soo disappointed in my senior brother and mentor Abdul Malik Kweku Baako. Anas Aremeyaw Anas was my classmate at Secondary School and still a very good friend of mine.
“Recording people and editing the recording with your own voice-over to suit your story is nothing but share (sic) wickedness and evil. He did it to Kwasi Nyantakyi and the country looked on. All I can say is that, we are all in the hands of the Lord,” Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe wrote on his Facebook timeline.
Charles Adu Boahen, the dismissed Minister of State in charge of Finance had earlier alleged that the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will require $200,000 as an appearance fee to meet prospective investors.
This was revealed in Anas’ ‘Galamsey Economy’ investigation.
The investigative journalist noted that Adu Boahen, in the undercover piece told his Tiger Eye PI team members posing as investors that Dr. Bawumia would also require some positions from the investor for his siblings, in orfer to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
But Dr. Bawumia in a statement on Monday, November 14, denied the accusations and called for an investigation into the allegations.
Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe’s post has since been deleted.
The programs Manager at Ghana Integrity Initiative, Mary Addah has lauded the President’s swift action to dismiss Charles Adu Boahen, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.
Mr. Boahen was dismissed after it emerged he allegedly said Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia could be paid $200,000 as an appearance fee for investors.
Speaking in an interview on Eyewitness News, Madam Mary praised the swiftness with which the dismissal letter was issued, saying it is a major tool for fighting speculations which is unhealthy for the fight against corruption.
“The president acting swiftly is critical to fighting corruption because some of these cases usually come up and not much action is taken and this fuels some of the speculation and perception around corruption in Government, so this is swift and expeditious enough, and it is good for the country.”
“Noticing that he is the appointing authority, he also has the power to disappoint, and he has done so, but then he also recognizes that some of the alleged instances and inferences made, could bother on criminality and pure corruption, so he has referred that to the [Office of the] Special Prosecutor whose Act [the Act establishing the Office of the Special Prosecutor] gives him the power to investigate issues relating to corruption.”
Madam Addah however said relieving Adu Boahen of his post is not enough, but what is needed at this point to clear the perception of Ghanaians on corruption against the government is to proceed to investigate the allegations levelled against the Vice President.
“The Vice President, in addition to what is put out there, will also serve better if he calls for investigations into those allegations. That has something to do with his personal and professional credibility. It will allow everyone to know that the integrity he is speaking to is one he does not joke with, and he is not just speaking as a mantra, but it is something he lives by and would want everyone to attest to same.”
She also said it is difficult to uphold the Government as one that is committed to fighting corruption because of the various appointees that have been accused at one point or another of corruption but are still actively serving and authoring dismissal letters.
“The person who authored the termination letter was cited by his wife for some domestic infractions, and she made certain allegations about properties he has acquired within the shortest time period and others. In that case, civil society spoke to that issue and thought something should have been done other than the silence that went with it. Today, he is still in Government authoring letters to fire people, but we don’t know how far his own allegations went.”
“This is a President that promised us during his campaign that all you needed to do was to complain or make a complaint or present a case, and the investigation agencies will then take it up. He also promised that he will use Anas’ principle to confirm some of these issues, so it becomes worrying when we do not see that being followed through,” she added.
She also bemoaned the numerous instances of conflicts of interest situations perpetrated by some notable persons appointed by the Government.
New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Mpraeso Constituency, Davis Opoku Ansah, is calling for the resignation of finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta following the dismissal of the Minister of State for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday, November 14, 2022, sacked Mr Adu Boahen hours ahead of the premiere of an investigative piece by Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
But reacting to the sacking in a Facebook post sighted by GhanaWeb, the Mpraeso MP who had recently joined some majority MPs to demand the sacking of Ofori-Atta and Adu Boahen, said the minister for finance must as well resign.
Borrowing and rephrasing a quote by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the MP said the essence of the sacking will not be complete without the resignation of Ken Ofori-Atta.
“The sacking of Charles Adu Boahen is meaningless unless it is linked to the resignation of Ken Ofori-Atta and the total liberation of the finance ministry from data Bankers,” he wrote.
In a yet-to-be premiered expose by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Charles Adu Boahen has been captured on tape making various implicating statements.
Among other things, the minister of state who was being recorded by undercover agents of Anas disguised as investors said they will need just $200,000 as an appearance fee for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as well as positions for his siblings if they are to get the vice president’s backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
Anas in a synopsis shared on social media hours before the premiere of the investigative piece dubbed Galamsey Economy said Adu Boahen, after having bundles of US dollars spread on a table in front of him and told to use them for shopping by the supposed business tycoon, promised to introduce the tycoon to the powers that be; the President, HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, and the Vice President, in Ghana.
Charles Adu Boahen has been one of the subjects of a public call for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to sack some of his ministers.
There are demands for the minister of state and his boss, Ken Ofori-Atta, to be sacked for their mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy and performance at the ministry.
The two ministers have been fingered by their critics for conflict of interest, favouritism and nepotism.
The likes of private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, have raised questions about Adu Boahen’s Black Star Brokerage and Ken Ofori-Atta’s Databank being chosen to deal in the sale of government bonds.
According to the critics, the situation reeks of conflict of interest as banks at the time of being chosen as by the Finance Ministry in 2017, had next to zero market share, were inexperienced relatively small as compared to the firms such as Barclays Bank and Stanbic Bank which were overlooked.
“Black Star Securities had next to zero market share at the time they were made part of this whole bond acquisition and sale process.
“I am daring the Finance Ministry, they should show us Black Star Security’s trading share in 2017. How did they qualify?
“Adu Boahen was walking here with a very small company in his armpit. The company was next to nothing, so, they should show. What are the statistics in 2017 at the time they came into office,” lawyer Martin Kpebu said and queried when he appeared as a guest on the August 20, 2022 edition of Joynewsfile.
The vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, doesn’t require anyone to negotiate contracts on his behalf, according to IMANI Africa President Franklin Cudjoe.
However, he cautioned Ghanaians, particularly businesspeople, to exercise caution while closing deals with other parties who are not aware of the contract (s).
Franklin Cudjoe also entreated all to desist from speaking in a way that is intended to make people impressed in order to gain some advantage for themselves.
In a Facebook post sighted by GhanaWeb, he said, “When making business deals, one must always be measured. Grandstanding should be avoided at all cost especially when it involves others who are unaware of the deals. Not sure Veep Bawumia needs financial ‘pimping’ from anyone. The Minister was too excited at the opportunity. Will wait for the full video though.”
“You mean, like appearance fees and stuff? I mean he, himself (the Vice President), if you give him some (USD) 200,000 or something as a token, as thank you, appreciation, that’s fine. He’s not really, he’s not really (like) that. All he needs is to worry about his campaign money in 2020,” Charles Adu Boahen said when he was asked how an investor can get the attention of the Vice President.
President Akufo-Addo has sacked the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.
The Presidency in a statement dated November 14, signed by Director of Communications, Eugene Arhin, revealed that Mr Boahen’s appointment has been terminated due to his alleged involvement in galamsey, which has been brought to light in excerpts of Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ yet to be released exposé dubbed “Galamsey Economy.”
President Akufo-Addo only dismissed the Minister after reaching out to him on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has noted that it would “refer the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations.”
On the other hand, the President has thanked Mr Charles Adu Boahen for his service to the government since his appointment in 2017.
On Monday, the investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, took to Facebook to share some insights of his exposé to be released today at 8PM at the Accra International Conference Centre.
In a post captioned “Our Minister & The Cash”, he accused Charles Adu Boahen of being corrupt in his engagement with investors.
“Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of State in charge of Finance at the Office of the President, has revealed to Tiger Eye that the Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, needs just USD200,000 token as an appearance fee and some positions by an investor for the Vice President’s siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
This revelation was made in a meeting with Tiger Eye investigators, who in an undercover investigation, posed as businessmen, in a hotel room in the United Arab Emirates. This was an investigation into top-level corruption that undermines investor confidence in Ghana.
According to Charles Adu Boahen, the Vice President needs an appearance fee of only USD 200,000 for him to avail himself and offer his support to an investor,” parts of the detailed article read.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has distanced himself from corruption allegations levelled against him.
In a Facebook post on Monday, he wrote “My attention has been drawn to a video by Anas Aremeyaw Anas (as posted on his social media handle) showing the Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Charles Adu Boahen, apparently using my name, inter alia, to peddle influence and collect money from supposed investors. I would like to state that if what the minister is alleged to have said is accurately captured in the video, then his position as a minister of state is untenable. He should be dismissed summarily and investigated.”
“I am not aware of any such meeting held by Minister Adu Boahen or a supposed “appearance fee”. My most cherished asset in life is my integrity and I will not allow anyone to use my name to engage in corrupt activities,” the Vice-President added.
Dr. Gideon Boako, an aide to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, has contradicted claims by the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen, that the Vice President will need US$200,000 as an appearance fee from any investor.
According to him, the Vice President is smart and discreet whenever he is dealing with individuals seeking to invest in the economy.
Charles Adu Boahen had allegedly told investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, in an undercover recording that Bawumia required about USD200,000 as an appearance fee from an investor to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
The celebrated investigative journalist in a November 14, 2022 post on his Facebook timeline stated that when his Tiger Eye PI team met with the Minister of State in charge of Finance in UAE, he spoke about Bawumia’s financial demands before agreeing to assist any investor.
“You mean, like appearance fees and stuff? I mean he, himself (the Vice President), if you give him some (USD) 200,000 or something as a token, as thank you, appreciation, that’s fine. He’s not really, he’s not really (like) that. All he needs is to worry about his campaign money in 2020,” Charles Adu Boahen is quoted to have said
But when the Tiger Eye team got in touch with Dr Gideon Boako, the Economic Advisor and Spokesperson at the Office of the Vice President, he denied that the Vice President has authorized or discussed with anybody to solicit funds for his political ambitions or to accept an appearance fee/token for an investor to meet with him.
“So, on top of my head and having been with him closely, I will say no. I know how discreet he, the Vice President, is and he is smart and he wouldn’t even dare do such a thing,” Dr Boako remarked.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ undercover documentary dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’ shows at the Accra International Conference Centre at 4.00 PM.
Dr. Gideon Boako, an aide to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, has contradicted claims by the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen, that the Vice President will need US$200,000 as an appearance fee from any investor.
According to him, the Vice President is smart and discreet whenever he is dealing with individuals seeking to invest in the economy.
Charles Adu Boahen had allegedly told investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, in an undercover recording that Bawumia required about USD200,000 as an appearance fee from an investor to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
The celebrated investigative journalist in a November 14, 2022 post on his Facebook timeline stated that when his Tiger Eye PI team met with the Minister of State in charge of Finance in UAE, he spoke about Bawumia’s financial demands before agreeing to assist any investor.
“You mean, like appearance fees and stuff? I mean he, himself (the Vice President), if you give him some (USD) 200,000 or something as a token, as thank you, appreciation, that’s fine. He’s not really, he’s not really (like) that. All he needs is to worry about his campaign money in 2020,” Charles Adu Boahen is quoted to have said
But when the Tiger Eye team got in touch with Dr Gideon Boako, the Economic Advisor and Spokesperson at the Office of the Vice President, he denied that the Vice President has authorized or discussed with anybody to solicit funds for his political ambitions or to accept an appearance fee/token for an investor to meet with him.
“So, on top of my head and having been with him closely, I will say no. I know how discreet he, the Vice President, is and he is smart and he wouldn’t even dare do such a thing,” Dr Boako remarked.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ undercover documentary dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’ shows at the Accra International Conference Centre at 4.00 PM.
It may be recalled that over 80 MPs on Tuesday, October 25, held a press conference to demand that Ken Ofori-Atta and Charles Adu Boahen be sacked from their respective roles. This led to a meeting with President Akufo-Addo where he requested that the Finance Minister be allowed to conclude IMF talks and present the 2023 budget statement.
“Even though the issue started with a group of 80-plus, the caucus meeting aligned with the decision of that group. So it is no longer the cause of the 80-plus group. It is the agenda for the entire caucus,” Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said to journalists in Parliament.
Meanwhile, reports rife indicate that the NPP MPs have changed their minds about allowing the Finance Minister to present the budget statement. They want a different person to do it; insisting Ghanaians have lost confidence in him.
Vote of censure
Meanwhile, the Minority has moved the motion on a vote of censure against the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Minority in its motion cited the overall mismanagement of the economy, and incompetence, among others.
Why the Change?
Kwesi Pratt Jnr speaking in a panel discussion on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’ wondered why the once acclaimed competent Finance Minister is now being ‘battered’
“These same MPs said the economic hardship is due to Russia/Ukraine war and covid. You praised him (Ofori Atta) for his competence so what has changed, to the extent that you’re now demanding for his head? We need answers. Apart from that, the Minority prior to Ofori Atta’s nomination said all sorts of things against him but in the end, they approved him excellently. So we need an explanation on why they’re now moving a motion of censure against him. If they knew they were going to level the same accusations against him, they shouldn’t have approved him in the first place…what kind of Kwaku ananse story is this? If they don’t take care, a time will come they will not be taken seriously,” he stated.
According to him, he feels sorry for the Veep particularly when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament have requested that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen should be dismissed.
Nana Ofori noted that the MPs’ action show that Dr. Bawumia is not in charge of the management of the economy in respect of his role in the EMT but Ken Ofori-Atta is.
Making his submissions on Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo”, the PPP National Chairman said; “You know the Vice President, sometimes, I feel sorry for him . . . here is the person who has been made the Head of the Economic Management Team but as Head of the Economic Management Team, it appears to us that he has no bite . . . that is why the MPs have skipped the Vice President and have gone straight to the Finance Minister because they say the decisions that are being taken, it’s being taken by the Finance Minister. So, it’s not really the Vice President who is in charge in the management of the economy in our country.”
“You see when the MPs of the majority party come and tell us these things, it speaks volumes because they have access to more information than you and I,” he added.
“We are all aligned to the earlier concern that eighty (80) of the Members of Parliament raised…The obvious thing is that we had a meeting as a Caucus and the Caucus decided this is our position,” he told Kwami Sefa Kayi during Friday’s “kokrokoo” show.
Hon. Adomako-Mensah affirmed that the Majority Caucus strongly believe that “a new person at the Finance Ministry will bring some new breath, new ideas”.
Pressure group, OccupyGhana has petitioned the Special Prosecutor to investigate a supposed wealthy businessman, who allegedly attempted to bribe a group of MPs calling for the head of the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, and Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.
In a letter addressed to the Special Prosecutor, OccupyGhana contended that the act is a potential corruption offense that ought to be probed by the Special Prosecutor for prosecution if established to be true.
“We have followed media reports from interviews by Joy FM with Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu (MP, Suame, Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs) and Andy Appiah-Kubi (MP, Asante Akim North), which have been widely circulated by other media portals,” the OccupyGhana statement said.
“In these interviews, the MPs alleged that an unnamed, wealthy businessman had attempted to bribe them. That would be an attempt to influence the conduct of MPs in the course of their official duties, a potential corruption offence that falls within the remit of your office,” the letter added.
Editor-in-Chief of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has revived the calls for the dismissal of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Over 90 members of the Majority Caucus in Parliament have reportedly signed a petition to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove his Finance Minister and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.
The Members of Parliament threatened to boycott the presentation of the 2023 Budget and all government business which willl be laid before the Legislative House if the President refuses to sack the two appointees.
Nonetheless, Mr. Ofori-Atta remains at post as the President, in an emergency meeting with aggrieved MPs, asked them to allow the Finance Minister to conclude the IMF deal.
Contributing to Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo”, Kwesi Pratt called on the Finance Minister to do the needful.
“I wish Ken Ofori-Atta had resigned . . . I wish he wouldn’t wait for the President to tell him to leave before he does,” he emphasized.
