Ghana’s Minister Of Sanitation Resigns Admist Alleged Theft Of $1 Million In Cash From Her Residence

Ghana’s Minister of Sanitation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, tendered her resignation over the weekend following an investigation into an alleged theft of more than $1 million in cash from her residence last year.

The case has drawn criticism from Ghana’s opposition, who questioned why a minister would keep such a large sum of money at home.

Dapaah denied any involvement in the alleged crimes, but the incident raised concerns about her position as a government official. In her resignation statement on Saturday, Dapaah stated that she did not want the matter to become a distraction for the government’s work.

The two domestic workers accused of stealing the cash, along with 300,000 euros and millions of local Ghanaian cedis, are currently facing trial.

The case has stirred public attention and debate, with court documents detailing the alleged theft from the minister’s bedroom, including clothing.

While Dapaah clarified that the reported figures do not accurately reflect what was reported to the police, she acknowledged the significance of the incident given her position in the government.

Her resignation comes at a challenging time for President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, as Ghana grapples with its worst economic crisis in years, leading the country to seek a $3 billion loan from the IMF.

President Akufo-Addo accepted Dapaah’s resignation and commended her for her loyalty and dedication.

However, opposition leader John Dramani Mahama, who is running as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the 2024 election, criticized the incident as “scandalous” and questioned the rationale behind keeping such large amounts of hard currency at home.

Baffour Agyeman-Duah, a good governance advocate, called on the ombudsman to investigate the case further.

The involvement of a high-ranking public official has sparked public interest, and there is a growing demand for transparency and accountability in the matter.