A development expert says the news of the immediate-past Sanitation Minister Cecelia Abena Dapaah allegedly stashing huge sums of illegal monies at home leaves a dent in the image of gender advocacy groups.

Dr Sumaila Asaah told Joy News' AM Show on Monday that he is worried as a gender advocate.

"It's so unfortunate to hear some of these stories. I'm so much worried because as a gender advocate, and always talking about how women should get into power, this is quite a negative contribution to our efforts," he said.

Huge sums of monies, with some amounts in dollars and euros were stolen by the Minister's house helps.

Patience Botwe, 18 and former housemate, Sarah Agyei, 30 are said to have connived to steal a significant amount of monies, including €300,000 and millions of cedis from the Minister's house at Abelemkpe.

They are said to have also stolen the personal belongings of the Minister and her husband, with a total of some of such belongings valued at Gh¢95,000.

Dr Asaah speculated that it looks as though the Minister is one of those people who had been hoarding dollars when the government needed more dollars in the system to curb the depreciation of the local currency.

"If you into a business or you have really toiled for your monies and if you want to buy dollars and keep which is not something that subscribes to looking at the current economic situation that we have, then somebody goes to pick these dollars, to the tune of $1 million. It's quite so mind-boggling," he added.

According to him, the conduct of the Minister is that which has been happening over a long period of time.