Protecting The Public’s Purse – Akufo‑Addo’s 3 Deception Pees

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo‑Addo rose to power in 2016 by presenting himself as the moral alternative to John Mahama. He accused Mahama of incompetence and corruption, promising Ghanaians that he would protect the public purse, fight corruption with the fearless principles of Anas Aremeyaw Anas, and transform Ghana into a prosperous nation.

These promises, what I call his Three Deception Pees: Protecting the Public Purse, Prosperity, and Principled Leadership, convinced millions that Akufo‑Addo and Bawumia were the solution to Ghana’s challenges. Yet, after eight years, Ghana witnessed the opposite: widespread looting, collapsed institutions, and an economy driven into crisis by the very people who claimed they came to save it.

The Collapse of Ghana Under Akufo‑Addo: A Catalogue of Financial Crimes

Under Akufo‑Addo’s leadership, Ghana experienced one of the most devastating waves of corruption in its political history. Financial institutions became bankrupt, national infrastructure projects stalled, and billions of cedis vanished through questionable contracts, inflated budgets, and outright theft.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor, EOCO, and other investigative bodies have opened dozens of cases involving NPP politicians, revealing a coordinated network of financial misconduct. What makes this collapse even more troubling is that none of these crimes occurred under Mahama, the man Akufo‑Addo accused of corruption. Instead, they flourished under the administration that promised to protect the public purse.

Dennis Miracles Aboagye – GH¢55 million diversion of public funds

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a close ally of Mahamudu Bawumia, was arrested at Kotoka International Airport and remains under investigation for the diversion of GH¢55 million during his tenure at the Inter‑Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation.

The charges include conspiracy to steal, causing financial loss to the state, defrauding by false pretences, and money laundering. His arrest—one of the most recent—has intensified public anger, with legal scholar Kwaku Azar openly condemning the arrogance displayed by some NPP figures who looted state funds and still attempt to intimidate investigators.

Ken Ofori‑Atta – Wanted for corruption and financial loss

Ken Ofori‑Atta, Akufo‑Addo’s cousin and former Finance Minister, has been cited in multiple investigations involving financial irregularities, opaque contracts, and questionable expenditures. His role in the National Cathedral scandal, where over $58 million remains unaccounted for, has placed him at the centre of Ghana’s financial crisis.

The special prosecutor has described his actions as part of a deliberate pattern of financial opacity. Ofori‑Atta’s tenure contributed significantly to Ghana’s debt distress, forcing the country into IMF assistance and triggering painful debt restructuring that affected pensioners and businesses nationwide.

Charles Adu Boahen – Influence peddling and bribery

Charles Adu Boahen’s name became synonymous with influence peddling after Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Galamsey Economy exposé. In the undercover footage, he was seen negotiating bribes and offering access to top government officials in exchange for financial favours.

His actions exposed the deep rot within Akufo‑Addo’s administration, where political power was traded like a commodity. Although he was dismissed, the scandal reinforced the perception that corruption was not an exception under the NPP; it was a system.

Bernard Antwi‑Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) – Illegal mining and bribery network

Bernard Antwi‑Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been implicated in illegal mining operations and bribery networks that contributed to Ghana’s environmental destruction. His associate pleaded guilty earlier this year, and Wontumi himself is currently on GH¢15 million bail, with his passport seized.

Despite mounting evidence, Akufo-Addo publicly defended him, raising serious questions about the president’s commitment to fighting galamsey and corruption. Wontumi’s case symbolises how political protection under the NPP allowed illegal mining to flourish, damaging rivers, forests, and communities.

Gifty Oware-Mensah
Gifty Oware, another prominent NPP figure, has also been linked to financial irregularities and questionable dealings within state institutions. Her name appears in ongoing investigations involving procurement breaches, mismanagement of public funds, and unauthorised financial transactions. While her case is still unfolding, it adds to the growing list of NPP politicians under scrutiny, reinforcing the perception that corruption under Akufo‑Addo was widespread, systemic, and deeply entrenched.

Why Akufo‑Addo and Bawumia Must Be Questioned

Given the scale of corruption under their leadership, Akufo‑Addo and Bawumia must be questioned and, ultimately, arrested to explain how their promise to protect the public purse resulted in the largest looting spree in Ghana’s history. They supervised, enabled, and protected individuals who engaged in financial crimes.

They weaponised anti‑corruption rhetoric to gain power, only to betray it once in office. They ignored warnings, shielded corrupt allies, and allowed billions of cedis to vanish while ordinary Ghanaians suffered. Their leadership directly contributed to Ghana’s economic collapse, and justice demands that they answer for it.

Why the NPP Must Not Return to Power

After overseeing such catastrophic financial crimes, the NPP has lost all moral authority to govern. A party that presided over the looting of public funds, the collapse of national institutions, and the suffering of millions cannot be trusted with power again.

The ongoing arrests, including Miracles Aboagye’s recent detention, prove that the rot was deep and widespread. Ghana cannot afford another cycle of deception, mismanagement, and impunity. The nation needs accountability, not a return to the same system that caused its economic downfall.

Conclusion: The Path to Justice and National Redemption

Ghana’s democracy requires accountability to survive. Akufo‑Addo and Bawumia must face justice for the deception that led to the looting of the public purse and the destruction of the nation’s economy. Their leadership inspired and protected the corruption machinery within the NPP, and the consequences were devastating.

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For Ghana to heal and rebuild, the masterminds must be held responsible. Only then can the country move forward with confidence that the era of political impunity is finally ending. More importantly, the government must ensure that every politician found guilty of corruption is put behind bars, because only decisive accountability can demonstrate its integrity and strengthen its chances in the 2028 election.