Corruption and financial terrorism are both serious crimes. Many are wondering if Cecilia Dapaah’s Corruption allegations could be a result of financial terrorism [business profits and charitable organizations or trafficking in weapons, drugs or people, or kidnapping]. If it is not then what?
Corruption erodes public trust, undermines good governance, and hampers development. Financial terrorism aims to create fear, chaos, and instability in the economic system. Hoarding money that could have been used to improve the lives of ordinary Ghanaians, especially the poor and susceptible as a sanitation and water “Messiah” is impishness and must face a corruption forfeit if found guilty. Is the arrest of Cecilia Dapaah a rare opportunity for Ghana to demonstrate its commitment to accountability and justice?
Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former minister of sanitation and water resources, has been arrested by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence1. She resigned from her post on Saturday, July 22, 2023, after a court charge sheet revealed that she had a cash sum of $1 million, 300,000 euros and 350,000 Ghana cedis, as well as handbags valued at $35,000 and $95,000-worth of jewellery, stolen from her house by two domestic workers. She has disputed the figures given in the court document but has not explained the source of her wealth or why she was keeping such huge amounts of foreign currency at home.
Some people may wonder if Cecilia Dapaah’s case could be described as financial terrorism, a term that refers to the attempt to disrupt or destabilize the economy of a state, a group of states, or a society, for ideological or religious motives. Financial terrorists may use various means and methods to finance their activities, such as legitimate sources (e.g. business profits and charitable organizations) or illegal sources (e.g. trafficking in weapons, drugs or people, or kidnapping). Financial terrorists may also engage in secret or open manipulation of a nation’s economy, such as by hacking, sabotage, boycotts, sanctions, or cyberattacks.
However, Cecilia Dapaah’s case currently is not financial terrorism, as she is not accused of attempting to disrupt or destabilize the economy of Ghana or any other state or society. She is accused of corruption, which involves the misuse or abuse of public office or power for personal gain. Corruption and financial terrorism are both serious crimes, but they have different motives and impacts. Corruption erodes public trust, undermines good governance, and hampers development. Financial terrorism aims to create fear, chaos, and instability in the economic system.
This scandal exposed the hypocrisy and greed of Cecilia Dapaah, who was one of the three women in Ghana’s cabinet and a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). She was supposed to be a role model for women and a champion of sanitation and water resources in a country where millions of people lack access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities. Instead, she was hoarding money that could have been used to improve the lives of ordinary Ghanaians, especially the poor and vulnerable. She was also violating the laws of Ghana, which prohibit public officials from holding foreign currency accounts or engaging in foreign exchange transactions without authorization.
Cecilia Dapaah’s case is not an isolated one. It is a reflection of the widespread corruption and impunity that plague Ghana’s political system. According to Transparency International, Ghana ranked 75th out of 180 countries in the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, with a score of 43 out of 100. The index measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption based on expert assessments and surveys of business people. A score below 50 indicates serious corruption problems. The report also noted that Ghana performed poorly in terms of enforcing anti-corruption laws, protecting whistleblowers and journalists, and ensuring political integrity.
The NPP government, led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, came to power in 2016 with a promise to fight corruption and restore public trust in governance. However, after more than six years in office, the government has failed to deliver on its promise. It has been accused of shielding corrupt officials from prosecution, interfering with the work of independent institutions such as the OSP and the Auditor-General, and appointing loyalists and relatives to key positions. The government has also faced several allegations of mismanagement, embezzlement, nepotism, cronyism, bribery and conflict of interest involving ministers, MPs, party officials and presidential staffers.
The arrest of Cecilia Dapaah is a rare opportunity for Ghana to demonstrate its commitment to accountability and justice. The OSP must conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into her case and prosecute her according to the law if she is found guilty. The government must also cooperate with the OSP and respect its independence and mandate. The public must also demand transparency and accountability from their leaders and representatives. They must reject any attempts by the NPP or any other political party to use Cecilia Dapaah’s case as a tool for propaganda or diversion. They must also hold them accountable for their performance and promises in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Cecilia Dapaah is a symbol of corruption and impunity in Ghana. She must be held accountable for her actions and face the consequences if she is guilty. This is not only a matter of justice for her, but also a matter of justice for Ghana.
The author of this piece is Maxwell Mensah, a writer, researcher, and social commentator. You can reach him on mensahm1815@gmail.com
