In a startling revelation, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has exposed a web of deceit surrounding former sanitation minister Cecilia Dapaah’s ownership of two skincare companies. The OSP recently presented its findings to an Accra High Court, shedding light on how Ms. Dapaah purportedly claimed ownership of these companies while they were registered under different individuals’ names. These revelations came to light in court documents made public on September 19, 2023.
The two companies in question are Dermacare Cosmetics and Dermacare Enterprise, both linked to Cecilia Dapaah. However, a deeper investigation by the OSP revealed a startling disparity between ownership claims and actual registrations.
Dermacare Cosmetics, which Ms. Dapaah asserted as her own, was discovered to be registered under the name of a different individual. This disconcerting revelation raises questions about the authenticity of her ownership claims.
Dermacare Enterprise, another company bearing her name, further deepened the mystery. While its address was traced back to the minister, ownership was legally vested in someone else entirely. This glaring disconnect between the registered owner and the claimed owner is a matter of serious concern.
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Ms. Dapaah had previously offered an explanation for a significant sum of over GH¢2.8 million discovered at her residence during an OSP search. She attributed these funds to her business proceeds, government appointee sitting allowances, and funeral donations. However, these justifications appear to be facing intense scrutiny in light of the OSP’s findings.
A critical point of contention arises from Ms. Dapaah’s claim that some of the funds stemmed from the sale of the Dermacare Cosmetics business in 2003. Yet, the OSP’s examination revealed that the monies in question were in currencies introduced in 2007, a significant four years after the alleged business sale. This temporal inconsistency casts doubt on the veracity of her explanation.
Additionally, the registration records of Dermacare Cosmetics, the company allegedly sold in 2003, indicated that it was registered in 2018. This glaring discrepancy raises further questions about the timeline and authenticity of Ms. Dapaah’s business transactions.
The revelations surrounding the ownership of these skincare companies and the discrepancies in financial claims raise important concerns about transparency, accountability, and adherence to legal procedures. It remains to be seen how these findings will impact the ongoing investigations and legal proceedings involving Cecilia Dapaah. The situation underscores the significance of thorough and impartial investigations to uphold the principles of justice and integrity.
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