President sacks finance minister over allegations of corruption

President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, on Monday sacked the minister of state for finance, Charles Adu Boahen, following  allegations of impropriety being circulated in the media by a well-known Ghanaian investigative journalist.

The presidency in a statement indicated that the President sacked Adu Boahen after being informed of allegations against him in an expose, noting that President Akufo-Addo also referred the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations.

Members of parliament have been demanding the dismissal of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, for allegations of corruption and economic mismanagement, lamenting that Ghana faces its worst economic crisis in a generation.

It was noted that the allegations against Adu Boahen did not appear to be related to those previously raised against Ofori-Atta. However, Adu Boahen could be seen in a video posted online by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who also circulated a lengthy email containing detailed allegations.

Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, in a statement, declared: the video showed Adu Boahen “apparently using my name, inter alia, to peddle influence and collect money from supposed investors.

“I would like to state that if what the minister (Adu Boahen) is alleged to have said is accurately captured in the video, then, his position as a minister of state is untenable. He should be dismissed summarily and investigated.”