A former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has testified that her stolen jewellery was acquired over a period of 35 years.

Appearing before the High Court in Accra, where seven individuals, including her former househelps, are facing charges for allegedly stealing money and jewellery from her home, the former minister stated that the stolen jewellery alone was valued at $95,000.

In addition, she told the court that the accused persons stole $210,000, which belonged to her deceased brother, Nana Akwasi Essan II, also known as Charles Dapaah. 

She explained that the $210,000 was part of an $800,000 sum that her elder brother, Henry Osei Kwabena, had delivered to her for safekeeping upon instructions from their mother, following Nana Essan II’s passing.

Other amounts allegedly stolen from her storeroom include $200,000 belonging to Dorcas Wiredua, a client and relative of her husband, £300,000 belonging to her husband, GH¢300,000 which was contributions towards the final funeral rites of her late mother, and GH¢50,000 of her personal funds.

The seven accused persons – Patience Botwe (former house help), Sarah Agyei (former house help), Benjamin Sowah, Malik Dauda, Christiana Achab, Job Pomary, and Yahaya Sumaila – are facing multiple charges, including conspiracy, stealing, dishonestly receiving, and money laundering. They have, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges and have been granted bail.