Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, has resigned after it was revealed that she kept $1 million, €300,000, and millions of undisclosed Ghana Cedis at her home.
The money was allegedly stolen by two of her house helps, who are currently standing trial at an Accra Circuit Court.
Dapaah’s resignation comes after she faced public ridicule and calls for her resignation or dismissal. Some people have also called on anti-graft institutions to probe the source of the money.
In her resignation letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo, Dapaah said she did not want the matter to become a “preoccupation of government” and a “hindrance to the work of government at such a crucial time.”
She also said she intended to cooperate fully with all state agencies to “enable them fully establish the facts.”
Dapaah’s resignation took effect on July 22, 2023.
The two house helps, Eric Kojo Duah and Evelyn Boakye, have been charged with stealing and abetment to stealing. The trial is ongoing and is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.
Anti-graft institutions, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have said they are investigating the source of the money.
Dapaah has denied any wrongdoing and has said that she will be exonerated from all the allegations.
The resignation of Cecilia Abena Dapaah is a significant development in Ghanaian politics.
It is the first time that a minister has resigned over allegations of corruption in recent years.
The case is likely to continue to be a source of public interest and scrutiny in the coming weeks and months.
Here are some additional details from the last 48 hours online:
The two house helps have been remanded in custody until their next court appearance.
The EFCC has said that it is investigating the source of the money and that it will take “appropriate action” if any wrongdoing is found.
Dapaah has said that she is “confident” that she will be exonerated from all the allegations.
The resignation of Cecilia Abena Dapaah is a reminder that even high-ranking officials are not immune to corruption allegations.
It is also a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government.
The case is likely to continue to be a source of public interest and scrutiny in the coming weeks and months.