Ghanaian Minister Steps Down Amidst $1 Million Cash Investigation
Ghanaian Minister of Sanitation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, tendered her resignation over the weekend following an investigation into an incident where her houseworkers were accused of stealing over $1 million in cash from her residence last year.
Although Dapaah vehemently denied any wrongdoing, the case drew significant criticism from Ghana's opposition, raising questions about why a minister would keep such substantial amounts of cash at her residence.
In her statement on Saturday, Dapaah resigned to avoid becoming a "hindrance" to the government. However, she firmly refuted the reports of having such large amounts of cash at her family home.
According to court documents presented during the trial, the two domestic workers are facing charges related to the alleged theft of $1 million, 300,000 euros, millions of local Ghanaian cedis, and clothing from the minister's bedroom last year.
"While I firmly assert that the reported figures do not accurately reflect what my husband and I reported to the police, I am fully aware of the significance of such stories surrounding someone in my position," the minister stated.
"I am tendering my resignation because I do not wish this matter to become a burden on the government or hinder its crucial work."
This incident has sparked controversy at a time when President Nana Akufo-Addo's administration is grappling with the country's most severe economic crisis in years, leading Ghana to seek a $3 billion loan from the IMF. Additionally, Akufo-Addo's ruling NPP party is preparing for primaries later this year to select its candidate for the upcoming election.
President Akufo-Addo has accepted the resignation and praised the former minister for her loyalty and dedication, according to his spokesman.
However, John Dramani Mahama, former Ghanaian leader and the opposition NDC candidate for the 2024 election, described the incident as "scandalous."
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