Queen Mother denies relationship with Apraku

A Tema-based businesswoman, Nana Offei-Nkansah has denied any relationship with Trade and Industry Minister, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku.

Nana Offei-Nkansah, who is also the queen mother of Amanokrom was reacting to a ‘Ghanaian Chronicle’ newspaper report that gave broad hints of an amorous relationship between the two. In an interview with JOY FM, Nana Ofei Nkansah explained that she did not travel with the Minister to the Netherlands as alleged by the Chronicle but rather went on her own.

She, however, confirmed portions of the Chronicle report, which said she lodged at the same hotel as the Minister. Nana Offei Nkansah said she has on all her business trips to the Netherlands, over the past seven years been lodging at that particular hotel.

She said her association with Damens Shipyard Company was long before the trade Minister got into contact with them. Dr. Apraku only got to know Damens in his capacity as Trade Minster when the company’s management visited Ghana to explore Trade relations, after which he was formally invited for a visit to the Netherlands.

Nana Offei Nkansah further explained that it was based on her relationship with Damens Company, that her opinion was sought on the appropriate hotel that the Minister could lodge on arrival in Holland. To facilitate business discussions with the Minister, she recommended her hotel to the management of Damens. The queen mother denied the ‘Chronicle’ allegation that she is a divorcee saying that she is still married to her husband.

She dared the publisher of the Ghanaian Chronicle, Nana Kofi Coomson, to prove that her action was illegitimate. The queen mother has also threatened legal action against the paper for tarnishing her reputation. The Chronicle alleged that Dr. Apraku had pledged a government guarantee to Damens shipyards to build a fishing trawler for Nana Nkansah.

The paper also said the Minister put pressure on the Dutch company to award a consultancy business to Nana Nkansah. Dr. Apraku has also denied both allegations and has indicated that he will seek redress at the courts against the publisher, Mr. Coomson.