By King Amoah
A retired auditor, Prosper Smith, has publicly called for the re-arrest of Cecelia Abena Dapaah, the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, amid concerns that her alleged multi-million dollar scandal has been improperly handled.
Smith, based in Kumasi, is urging President John Dramani Mahama to initiate a fresh investigation into the matter, citing what he describes as “blatant violations” of both local and international laws.
Dapaah was initially arrested in 2024 after allegations surfaced that she had concealed vast sums of dollars, euros, and other foreign currencies in her private residence – an act contravening Ghanaian and international regulations. While she was initially charged, she was later released, a move Smith contends was influenced by her connections within the government.
Charges against her housemaids, allegedly linked to her money laundering activities, remain pending in court.
Smith argues that Dapaah’s release raises serious questions about the integrity of the legal process. “How can a suspect involved in a direct money laundering case be surprisingly set free without making Ghanaians know her source of income?” he questioned.
He believes the authorities deliberately allowed her freedom and insists the case warrants a thorough review to ensure accountability.
The retired auditor also directed criticism at the Chairman of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), accusing him of enabling Dapaah to evade justice. He pointed out that even her ministerial office was under investigation and called the situation “serious and provoking.” He emphasized that the alleged money laundering and the circumstances surrounding her release are not isolated incidents but represent a breakdown of the legal system.
The former president, Nana Akufo-Addo was not spared in Smith’s rebuke due to his silence on the matter. Smith, questioned his integrity as a lawyer referring to his silence on the case as being questionable of his credentials.
“This case cannot be allowed to become a foolish one,” Smith declared, demanding a complete revision to ensure transparency and bring the full truth before the public. He emphasized that the public deserves a proper understanding of the full scope of the allegations and the legal process it has undergone, urging President Mahama to take immediate action to restore public confidence.
The renewed call for Dapaah’s re-arrest adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing political discourse in Ghana, with many looking to see whether the Mahama administration will heed Smith’s call to re-open the case.
