Be Careful, We Have No Proof That Cecilia Dapaah’s Cash Is Embezzled Cash – Agyeman-Duah

A Governance Expert Professor Baffuor Agyaman-Duah has warned all vociferous citizens to be gauged in their statements on the matters involving the outgone Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

Prof Agyeman-Dua mentioned that there is no proof that her money which has become a topic of controversy was looted or laundered money.
Madam Abena Dapaah tendered her resignation on Saturday, July 22, barely 24 hours after the public attention of her stolen money and other belongings.

Acknowledging her resignation, President Akufo-Addo characterized the work accomplished by the one-time Bantama Legislator as “excellent and productive”.

“It is with considerable regret that I accept your resignation, and I applaud your loyalty to the image and standing of the government,” he penned on Saturday.

“The work you undertook during your period in Government was excellent and productive, and I thank you for your wholehearted contribution and devotion to the progress of the Government and the nation.”

In her resignation, Madam Abena Dapaah ensured her availability and collaboration with all state agencies to skim into her issue, which she admits has become a “hindrance” to the government at this “crucial” time.

“I do not doubt that at the end of the processes, it will be established that I have conducted myself with integrity during my period in public service and I will be fully exonerated from all the allegations,” she proceeded and noted in her resignation letter.

President Akufo-Addo also conveyed confidence that “at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be fully established”.

The issue of the stolen monies – $1 million, €300,000 and millions of undisclosed Ghana Cedis – is in court. It is planned to be recalled on Wednesday, August 2.

Remarking on this while granting an interview to the press on Monday, July 24, Prof Aheymang Duah uttered “If I were to be the president I would be a little more careful, the president rushed in commending her for the job she does for the government and the nation as a whole because truly, Madam Cecilia Dapaah has been working public service, there is no doubt at all but when the case of this nature emerges the processes need to take place before we conclude.

“That is why I will even caution all the public commentators to be a little bit circumspect because there is no evidence so far that it is stolen money, there is no evidence so far it is laundering money, we don’t have any evidence. All we know is that she sent some people to the Police for stealing her money. Of course, it is the amount of money that is causing this kind of public uproar.

“I think what we need to do is to ensure that the proper investigation processes take place. I think EOCO should be interested because there could be an angel of money laundering, I am not saying it is but it raises that question.”

He counted, “For me, this would have been a wonderful opportunity to stand tall by taking a certain stand.”

Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) placed Cecilia Abena Dapaah under detention on Monday, July 24.

She is being probed by officers of the OSP, a communique said.

“At 11:55 GMT on 24th July 2023, Cecilia Abena Dapaah who resigned from the position of Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources on 22nd July 2023 was placed under arrest by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence. Ms Dapaah is being questioned by authorized officers of the OSP,” the OSP wrote in the communique.