A former Deputy Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has rubbished the Ga West Municipal Chief Executive's explanation of how the Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, may have come by the huge amounts of money allegedly stolen from her home.

Mr Clement Wilkinson, while speaking on Accra-based UTV on Saturday, July 22, said the alleged stolen money could be from funeral donations. He, however, did not give further any details about the supposed funeral he was making reference to.

The MCE also postulated that the huge amount could be a token for the funeral from the contractors engaged by the government through the Sanitation Ministry to dredge the Odaw river. 

Folks,please take a listen at this "explanation" from this NPP chap on how the Sanitation Minister came by so much money. pic.twitter.com/C9bMBYnhSO

— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) July 22, 2023

“The company which received $43 million dollars to dredge the Odaw river could have given Cecilia Dapaah $2 million dollars in funeral donation.”

“You know until the family meets to look at the entire donation, it would not be touched. It could be the reason the money was at her home.

However, in a tweet on Saturday, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Abura Asebu-Kwamankese teased the Ga West MCE and thwarted his attempt to justify the Minister’s conduct. 

“Folks, please take a listen at this explanation from this NPP chap on how the Sanitation Minister came by so much money.”

Already, former President John Dramani Mahama has questioned how Madam Cecilia Dapaah kept US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis in her home. 

Mr Mahama said the conduct of the Minister is scandalous and must be probed. 

“$1m + €300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister’s home? Scandalous!!”

“Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home?”

“Will @NAkufoAddo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration?” he tweeted on Friday. 

Background 

An Accra Circuit Court has been told that huge sums of money and other items of Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour have been stolen from their Abelemkpe home.

According to the prosecution, the thefts happened between July and October last year. 

The Chronicle newspaper reports that two house helps – Patience Botwe, 18, and Sarah Agyei, 30 – are currently facing charges before the Court for their alleged involvement in the theft.

The accused persons are facing one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, involving amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.

According to the same report, the pair during the same period allegedly stole the personal belongings of Cecilia Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewellery valued at US$95,000.

Further accusations involve Patience acting alone to steal six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belonged to her husband.

Three additional persons have also been charged in connection with the thefts.

Meanwhile, the embattled Minister has in a press release on Friday, July 21, said they’re inconsistencies in the amounts reported in the media.