Did the death of Dr. John Kumah confirm politics is the most lucrative business venture in Ghana?

Jaws have dropped since the passing of the Deputy Finance Minister, and some think that the death of Dr. John Kumah has confirmed politics as the most lucrative business venture in Ghana.

The reasons for Ghanaians reaching this conclusion are a result of the wealth the deceased deputy finance minister amassed as an elected member of parliament.

It is very tempting to see politicians become so successful after a short time in politics compared to their counterparts with the same qualifications in other occupations and industries.

For many Ghanaians, the many properties owned by Dr. John Kumah prove that there are more than genuine opportunities in politics. Whether one is a youth or an adult, entering politics and taking it seriously as a career can turn your fortunes around.

Who is Dr. John Kumah?

Before his death at age 45, he was the Member of Parliament for the Ejisu constituency and doubled as the Deputy Finance Minister.

Is John Kuma dead?

Yes, Dr. John Kuma is dead. He died on March 7th., 2024

Did the death of Dr. John Kumah confirm politics is the most lucrative business venture in Ghana?

His wealth has led many to believe that politics is the most lucrative business venture in Ghana.

While a cross-section of Ghanaians has attributed the many properties obtained by the late Dr. John Kumah to corruption in politics, others hold the view that his allowances and other benefits accruing to him as a minister and a member of parliament account for his success.

Let us take a look at the list of properties in the public domain that have been associated with it since the NPP came to power.

Do you believe that politics is the most lucrative business venture in Ghana? The enviable properties of Dr. John Kumah at age 45, after the NPP came to power, are as follows:

1. He acquired 10 acres of land in his hometown.
2. He built a $1.1 million house at Ejisu Donaso. The house has 14 bedrooms, a stadium-size compound, indoor and outdoor pools, and is solar-powered and fully automated.
3. He also bought another 100 acres of land for farming in the Ashanti Region.
4. He renovated and completed Dad’s $500K Mile 7 house in Accra.
5. He bought a high-priced plot of land at Chantan near Tabora-Ahlaji and built a mansion for his wife and kids.
6. He acquired the East Legon mansion in 2020.
7. He set up a construction company that enjoyed several government contracts.
8. He single-handedly funded projects, built an NPP office, etc., all amounting to over $30 million.
9. He acquired four Toyota V8s plus an uncountable number of other vehicles.
10. He reportedly has eight major housing properties and filling stations across Ghana.
11. Pump substantial money into a law firm.

John Kumah, as deputy minister and MP, enjoyed fat salaries and juicy bonuses as follows.

1. Housing allowance of GH¢6,000.
2. Home enhancement allowance of GHC 2000
3. Travel per diem of $1500
4. Clothing allowance: GHC10,000.
5. Free medical care for spouses & kids
6. A yearly mandatory medical examination.
7. Vehicle maintenance allowance ghc1000/month
8. 3 personal security guards

For those screaming at the top of their voices and saying, And so what? How much does your monthly work pay you? His home enhancement allowance of GHC 2000 alone can pay the salaries of many Ghanaians who earn below that a month.

While many have their own conclusions as to how he made his money as a politician to acquire all the above properties, there are certain income sources in the above list of properties that could have helped the MP and Minister achieve the above.

His monthly allowances can bring a lot of change into his life and the properties he can acquire. The monthly total allowance alone can be someone’s 10 years’ income as a worker in Ghana and is more than the take-home pay of a lecturer at the university.

Acquiring 100 acres of land for farming and using it for the intended purpose may bring him extra income. A farm on 100 acres of land is a big one and can bring in so much income if the farm is already operational with the entire land area at full capacity.

Again, he has a construction company that has enjoyed several government contracts. Such a company could rake in more income for the MP each time it is awarded a contract. It is another topic for discussion on another day: whether the company deserves the contracts it received and whether they were competitive or soul-sourced.

According to news reports, the MP also has eight major housing properties and filling stations across Ghana. These are major sources of additional income if managed well, and they can bring in extra income to finance his projects.

The MP is also a lawyer and has a well-financed law firm, which means it can attract the best talents and very high-profile cases. These cases can bring in huge income and help the deceased minister achieve all his dreams and properties.

Having analyzed the political opportunities, the alleged income from corruption, and all the other income sources, one will agree that the deceased deputy minister of finance constantly multiplied and increased his sources of income and improved on the quantum gradually over time.

The fact remains that politics is very lucrative. Once you step into the realms of power as a member of parliament, or a minister, or gain political appointment into a higher office of the political party in power, your life will transform and will never be the same.

READ: Charles Bissue V Office of the Special Prosecutor & Kaneshie District Court

For this and other reasons, the youth who have the ambition to enter politics must keep working at it and live the dream. Politics is truly the most lucrative business venture in Ghana, and it can help you venture into other businesses to increase your income and wealth and improve your standard of living exponentially.

Do you still hold the view that politics is the most lucrative business venture in Ghana? If you think it is not, just look at the money found in Cecilia Dapaa’s residence and bank accounts and the amount stolen, and re-analyze your stand again.

Why are most of the members of parliament still contesting for the post of MP in the 2024 election if they want us to believe it is not lucrative and does not come with a lot of opportunities?