Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, is being accused of hiding $1 million in United States dollars, €300,000 in European currency, and millions of Ghana cedis at her residence. Some Members of Parliament (MPs) from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are pushing President Nana Akufo-Addo to fire her as soon as possible.
After rumours surfaced that the minister's two house helpers had been arrested for allegedly stealing the money, the members of the minority in the House of Representatives stated that it was illegal for the minister to have stored such huge sums of money at her residence.
The requirement was put forth by the Members of Parliament representing Bole Bamboi and Kumbungu.
Yussif Sulemana, a member of parliament for Bole Bamboi, believes that her dismissal will demonstrate that President Akufo-Addo is serious about the fight against corruption.
If it becomes out that she did keep that significant amount of money in her home, I fully anticipate that the President will terminate her. The question that needs to be answered is where did she receive the money from? Why, if the money was genuine, did she store it at her home rather than taking it to the bank? If it turns out that this woman was hiding such large sums of money, the first thing that needs to happen is for the President to fire her from her position.
"This is the only way for us to know for certain that the President is working to combat corruption. It is imperative that the President take prompt action. When speaking to the media, Mr. Sulemana stated that the next step would be for any governmental institution that had an interest in examining her to be able to do so without interference.
In the meantime, the legislator for Kumbungu, Hamza Adam, maintained that it would be startling if it is actually confirmed that the aforementioned monies were held in the house of the Minister.
According to him, the claims need an in-depth inquiry, and one should be done as soon as possible.
"The right to own property is guaranteed to each and every minister of state, provided that the properties in question are held legitimately. The controversy surrounding Cecilia Dapaah is something that has caught everyone by surprise, particularly given the fact that it is common knowledge that the nation is currently experiencing a crisis. It will come as a surprise to me if really she did keep such a large sum of money at her home. It is necessary for us to determine the facts of the situation.
"We are anticipating the appropriate legal action to be taken, as well as the initiation of an investigation to determine the source of the funds that she stole. The Member of Parliament for Kumbungu went on to say, "I believe it is illegal to keep such money in your house."
Already, the former President John Dramani Mahama has raised questions about the manner in which the Minister of Sanitation maintained $1 million USD, €300,000 EUR, and millions of Ghana Cedis at her residence.
Mr. Mahama characterised the behaviour of the Minister as reprehensible and insisted that it be brought to light.
"$1 million, plus €300,000, and millions of GHS at the home of a Ghanaian Minister? Scandalous!!”
"Even if millions of dollars in hard currency were legitimately acquired, why keep them at home?"
blogpay
Total Comments: 0