Cecelia Abena Dapaah
The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) want President Akufo-Addo to ask the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources Cecelia Dapaah to step aside for investigation to commence into alleged millions stolen by househelps at her Abelemkpe residence.
The accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, are charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.
During this period, the house helps allegedly stole personal effects belonging to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewellery worth US$95,000.
Additionally, Ms. Botwe is accused of stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belong to the minister’s husband.
Furthermore, three other individuals, identified as Ms. Botwe’s current and former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for allegedly being involved in the crime. They are respectively charged with dishonestly receiving GHC 1 million, GHC 180,000, and GHC 50,000.
Reacting to the development on News File on Joy FM on Saturday (22 July), Acting Executive Director of GII, Mary Awelana Addah said “We believe this is the time for the President to act swiftly and ask this Minister to step aside and let the agencies of state take this thing up.”
“I believe the Special Prosecutor has shown in times past that he can do this and will do it very well if allowed.”
Addah added “And so the President should let this woman step aside immediately, then it gives opportunity to do a thorough investigation on this, \If she is not sacked, let her be interdicted.”
Listen to Mary Awelana Addah in the attached audio clip below:
Meanwhile Cecelia Dapaah has said the reportage on the stolen monies at her residence by two househelps is fraught with noticeable inconsistencies between what is being discussed in the public domain and the thrust of the original complaint on the matter.
In a statement on Friday (21 July), Dapaah said she is studying the reports and will provide detailed response soon.
“I refer to publications dated 21 /8/2023 suggesting that I own one million dollars , three hundred thousand Euros and millions of cedis which has been stolen in my house.
“There are noticeable inconsistencies between what is being discussed in the public domain and the thrust of the original complaint on the matter.”
“Iam taking steps to examine the inconsistencies and will provide detailed response in the coming days,” the statement said.
Below is the full statement:
Fred Dzakpata
