Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has warned against the use of her identity by individuals with malicious intent to swindle the unsuspecting public.

This development comes weeks after a self-styled journalist was arrested and charged with three counts of defrauding by false pretense, for impersonating the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin in January this year.

In October 2019, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah issued a similar statement cautioning the public against the use of fake social media accounts in government’s name, advising the public to refrain from engaging or transacting any form of financial business with them.

In a statement issued by her office, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey explained that an Instagram account had been created bearing her name and “being used by unscrupulous individuals to dupe unsuspecting members of the public, both in Ghana and abroad.”

The Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom further clarified that she is “not on any social media platform and therefore, has no Instagram account.”

“The public is, therefore, cautioned not to accept requests on any social media platform in the name of the Honourable Minister and resist attempts by miscreants who seek to dupe them by soliciting funds in her name,” the disclaimer read.

The statement however urged victims of such scams to report the law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book for impersonation.

Find the full statement below.