Host of Good Evening Ghana on Metro TV, Paul Adom-Otchere has lambasted Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, and investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas for wasting the time of Ghanaians over the alleged persecution of former Minister of State for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen.
President Akufo-Addo on November 14, 2022 requested the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to investigate allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Mr. Adu Boahen contained in an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by 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.
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.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in October 2023, therefore, 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.
Drawing similarities between the allegations levelled against former FIFA Council Member, Kwasi Nyantakyi and Charles Adu Boahene, Mr Adom-Otchere called on the OSP to come and clear the former’s name and restore his reputation.
He accused both Anas and Kissi Agyebeng of being greedy and having it out for the two individuals.
In June 2018, Nyantakyi was captured on film accepting $65,000 in cash from an undercover reporter, who was actually journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
“They do the same thing to Charles Adu Boahen. They call Charles Adu Boahen somewhere and give him 40,000 dollars and they film it. After we mounted pressure on Missi Agyebeng and after so much money. How did the pressure come? The pressure came because we made reference to money. So much money.
“Then Kissi Agyebeng comes embarrassingly to come and clear Charles Adu Boahen. Now viewers, have a look at this. The circumstances of the Charles Adu Boahen video is the same circumstances as Kwesi Nyantakyi’s video. If therefore Kissi Agyebeng, one of the principal actors of both videos.
“That day Kissi Agyebeng was appointed Special Prosecutor, I don’t know that day, we have to ask God to atone our sins and not to deliver us wicked people like this anymore. Wolves in sheep’ clothing. They inspire nothing. They are just greedy. Greed is in their hearts and minds. May the Lord forgive them.
“Kissi Agyebeng came to say Charles Adu Boahen has done nothing wrong. It stands to reason therefore that Kwasi Nyantakyi’s did nothing wrong,” Mr Adom-Otchere said.
The footage was aired by BBC Africa’s investigations unit, Africa Eye. Mr Nyantakyi believed the cash to be part of a sponsorship deal for the Ghana FA, an organization he had been presiding over since 2005.
As a result of the documentary’s revelations, Nyantakyi lost his positions as FIFA Council Member and 1st Vice President of CAF, the Confederation of African Football.