Five individuals have petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah for allegedly acquiring assets disproportionate to her income. 

The petitioners, Mensah Thompson, Al-Hassan Kwadwo Baidoo, Bernard Anbataayela Mornah, Ransford Antwi, and Joyce Atitso, are calling for a thorough examination of Dapaah’s finances.

The controversy around Dapaah began with a theft at her home, culminating in her resignation in July 2023. The stolen items included substantial sums of money—$1 million, €300,000, and GH¢350,000—as well as luxury handbags valued at $35,000 and $95,000 worth of jewellery.

The disclosure of these amounts sparked public outrage amidst Ghana’s economic challenges and the depreciation of the Cedi.

Following her resignation, Dapaah was arrested by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

An investigation, which involved the FBI, lasted nearly seven months before the OSP referred the case to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on the grounds that the matter bordered more on money laundering which it does not have the mandate to investigate and prosecute. EOCO has the mandate to investigate money laundering. 

EOCO however, returned the docket to the OSP, claiming insufficient grounds to proceed with the matter.

On May 20, the petitioners urged CHRAJ to scrutinise Ms. Dapaah’s assets, which include $1,390,000; €300,000, GH₵3,212,007; and bank accounts in both cedis and dollars.

“…More importantly, we are fortified in the need for this investigation because during interrogation by the OSP as to the source of her income, Madam Cecilia Dapaah could not give any proper explanation,” an excerpt of their petition said.