Cecilia Dapaah case: Government's desire for exonerating suspects in high-profile cases worrying – CDD

The Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana has expressed concern over the handling of high-profile cases by the Akufo-Addo administration.

In a statement addressing the latest developments in the case of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah, CDD-Ghana also cited several cases it believes the government has mishandled in its efforts to fight corruption.

"CDD-Ghana notes with great disappointment that the abrupt or inconclusive manner in which this matter has been concluded fits a pattern in the Nana Akufo-Addo Administration's general attitude and response to scandals, allegations, or reported incidents of criminal conduct, corruption, or other financial malfeasance involving individuals closely associated with the government or ruling party.

Cases and scandals that have been treated in a similarly inconclusive fashion include various Galamsey scandals and a host of pseudo-PPP/procurement deals, including the recent SML case. The government has not demonstrated a good faith commitment to working with the responsible agencies to bring any of these cases or scandals to a credible and satisfactory conclusion.

It appears that the government is more interested in exonerating the targets or suspects in these cases than in working with the state's investigative and prosecutorial agencies to resolve these matters in the public interest."

Background

The Office of the Attorney General (AG) and Ministry of Justice has stated that there is no basis for the Economic and Organized Crimes Office (EOCO) to conduct money laundering investigations into the affairs of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

The Special Prosecutor (OSP) had earlier this year dropped charges against the former minister and referred the matter to EOCO for money laundering investigations.

However, after reviewing the documents submitted by EOCO, the AG's office has since advised against pursuing money laundering investigations into the matter by EOCO.

In a letter dated April 25, 2024, signed by Mrs. Evelyn Keelson, a Chief State Attorney from the AG's office, to EOCO, it was stated, "The OSP's referral to EOCO for investigations to be conducted into money laundering is without basis."