Ghanaian Ambassador Denies Bringing "Con Artist"

Ghanaian Ambassador to Liberia, Maj/Gen. Francis Adu Amanfoh has emphatically stated that he is not in the country to bring what he calls "con-men" to dupe Liberians and other nationals residing in the country.

Instead, the Ghanaian Ambassador, in a sincere tone said that he is representing the President of his country in Liberia to strengthen the long-standing relations existing between Liberia and Ghana.

Addressing a news conference in reaction to series of media reports that he has joined Ghanaian criminals to dupe people in the country, Ambassador Amanfoh said, " I've come not to destroy but to promote Liberian-Ghanaian bi-lateral trade and Commerce, and to encourage Ghanaian businessmen to invest in the country and protect Ghanaians coming or residing in the country.

The Ghanaian Envoy, explaining as to what motivated the series of news articles, traced its origin to Lebanese businessmen operating in Liberia and noted that they do not want competition in whatever business they do.

Maj/Gen. Amanfoh said, "I've worked in Lebanon as a United Nations Peace Keeper; there are no resources there, that's why they come to West Africa and exploit our resources to build their country.

He explained that a Ghanaian businessman, Broni Wambour, wrote the embassy that he was in Liberia to do business and later brought in his partners at which time they met with him.

Ambassador Amanfoh said, to start his business, Mr. Wambour opened a computer school when he was asked to pay US$16,000 for a three-bedroom house, which accommodated the school for two years. "He paid US$ 11,000 with a balance of US$ 5,000," he said.

However, Ambassador Amanfoh said that after using the premises for four months, the landlord requested for the balance amount but Mr. Wambour pleaded with her for 'grace period'.

The Ambassador further stated that the landlord carried padlocks to seal the school door, but as fate may have it, the Ambassador sent a car and took the computers out. "Immediately, the landlord took the furniture and other fixtures from the building. Is that fair when he has not used the premises for a year?" he questioned.

Ambassador Amanfoh also disclosed that a Lebanese National, Ahmed Ahmed leased another three-bedroom house to Mr. Wambour for US$33,000 for two years.

But because the prize was seemingly high, Mr. Wambour hired Cllr. Beyan Howard who later renegotiated the deal at which time it was reduced to US$20,000 for two years. Mr. Wambour immediately paid US$10,000 and not quite spending five months in the place, Ahmed began to blackmail Mr. Wambour, threatening him with eviction.

Ambassador Amanfoh said the worst thing occurred when police officers went to his residence to arrest Mr. Wambour who due to the injustices rendered him decided to take refuge at the Embassy. "The police officers had scuffle with the guards at my residence, something which is against the Geneva Convention relative to diplomatic relations" the Envoy narrated.

He said the series of newspaper articles are not only an insult to his person but also to the President of the Republic of Ghana. "However, these malicious and callous behavior would not deter my resolve to do what I was sent here to do. In fact, several Ghanaian businessmen came to Liberia but cannot return home because they told me that the Lebanese had made the Liberian business climate very hostile" the Ambassador stated.

He confirmed that Interpol from Ghana took Mr. Wambour back home because he took money from people to deliver fish and rice, but when the vessel with the fish arrived, the people could not finish the final payment for service. He noted that it is not a criminal matter but an issue of debt.