Court frees 2021 Juaben MCE nominee Kwabena Sarfo Kantanka in bribery case

The Kumasi High Court has acquitted and discharged Alexander Kwabena Sarfo Kantanka, the 2021 nominee for Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), who was appointed by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Sarfo Kantanka had been on trial since May 2022 after a viral video surfaced showing him demanding refunds from assembly members—money he allegedly paid to secure their votes for his confirmation. The footage drew public attention and prompted the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to charge him with 26 counts of corruption related to a public election.

During the trial, the prosecution relied on witness statements and the video as key evidence, asserting that the payments were intended to influence the outcome of the MCE confirmation vote. The defense, however, maintained that the allegations were unfounded, arguing that the video did not prove any intent to bribe.

Delivering her ruling on Monday, May 26, 2025, Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori found that the evidence presented—particularly the video—did not conclusively demonstrate that the funds were meant to corrupt the voting process. As a result, she cleared Sarfo Kantanka of all charges.

The case dates back to the latter part of 2021, when Sarfo Kantanka failed to secure enough votes from the Juaben Municipal Assembly after two rounds of voting in September and November. Following the defeat, he was captured on video confronting some assembly members and asking for his money back. According to allegations at the time, he had distributed GH¢5,000 to each elected assembly member and GH¢2,500 to each government appointee.

Despite the viral footage and public backlash, the court ruled that the prosecution had not met the burden of proof to sustain a conviction under the law.