Former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources Cecilia Dapaah Arrested on Suspicion of Corruption
In a shocking turn of events, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken Cecilia Abana Dapaah, the immediate past Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, into custody for alleged corruption and corruption-related offenses. The arrest comes in connection with the reported theft of large sums of money and valuable items from her residence.
The OSP’s statement confirmed that Cecilia Dapaah, who resigned from her ministerial position on July 22, is currently undergoing questioning by authorized officers. The arrest follows the emergence of news that foreign cash amounting to $1 million, €300,000, and undisclosed amounts in Ghana Cedis were stolen from her bedroom. This money is believed to have been taken by two house helps who are currently facing trial at an Accra Circuit Court.
OSP Communications pic.twitter.com/YNfvJrEVpB
— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) July 24, 2023
In her resignation letter addressed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Dapaah expressed her intention to cooperate fully with the state agencies to establish the facts surrounding the incident. She maintained her innocence and asserted that she conducted herself with integrity throughout her tenure in public service, expressing confidence that she would be exonerated once the investigations concluded.
READ ALSO: Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah Resigns Amidst Controversy Over Alleged Stolen Funds
Dapaah, however, raised concerns about the discrepancies between the public reports and the figures she and her husband submitted in their statement to the police. Despite this, she chose to step down from her position to prevent the matter from becoming a distraction to the government’s crucial work.
The arrest of a former minister has sent shockwaves through Ghanaian political circles, raising questions about accountability and transparency within the government. The OSP’s move reflects the nation’s commitment to tackling corruption at all levels and holding public officials accountable for their actions.
READ ALSO: Akufo-Addo Accepts Cecilia Dapaah’s Resignation Amidst Controversy
As the investigation unfolds, Ghanaians eagerly await the outcome, hoping for a fair and just resolution to the allegations against Cecilia Dapaah. The case serves as a stark reminder that no one, regardless of their stature or position, is above the law and that corruption will not be tolerated in the pursuit of a just and prosperous society.