Ghanaians have been taken aback by President Akufo-Addo’s decision to shower praises on the immediate past Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who recently resigned under controversial circumstances.
The Minister’s resignation came after reports surfaced that she had stored substantial amounts of foreign currencies in her home, some of which were stolen, leading to public outrage.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Minister’s actions, President Akufo-Addo did not directly comment on the impropriety but praised her in response to her resignation letter. He expressed confidence that her integrity, while in office, would be fully established and wished her success in her future endeavours.
Critics have accused the President of constantly shielding his appointees accused of corruption, leading to the nickname “clearing agent.” The President’s remarks on the resignation have further fueled these criticisms, with some viewing it as a tacit approval of the Minister’s actions and an endorsement of corruption within his government.
“It is with considerable regret that I accept your resignation, and I applaud your loyalty to the image and standing of the government.
“The work you undertook during your period in government was excellent and productive, and I thank you for your wholehearted contribution and devotion to the progress of the government and the nation,” the president stated.
Joyce Bawa Mogtari, the Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, expressed her shock at the President’s comments in a tweet. She asserted that the President’s praise for the Minister’s loyalty could embolden other appointees to engage in corrupt practices, and she called for a thorough investigation into how the Minister came by the money.
Should we accept the resignation of Ghana’s #Sanitationminister as the solution to the conundrum of stolen money please! Our president @NAkufoAddo has endorsed this act of corruption by praising her loyalty and “fidelity to” this corrupt gov!
— Joyce Bawah Mogtari (@joyce_bawah) July 23, 2023
The acting Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Mary Awelana Addah, also weighed in on the situation, stating that President Akufo-Addo has an opportunity to redeem his image by making a critical decision regarding the Minister. She emphasized the importance of holding public officials accountable and conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.
Calls from the public have urged the government to ensure that Madam Dapaah is duly investigated by relevant state institutions to establish the source of the money found in her possession. The Minister’s resignation has raised concerns about transparency and integrity within the government, and many are closely watching how the situation will be handled to uphold accountability and trust in public office.
As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how President Akufo-Addo will address the concerns raised by Ghanaians and take measures to uphold the image of his government.
