Ghana’s president fires junior finance minister over fraud allegations in mining exposé

Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, has sacked Charles Adu Boahen, the minister of state for finance.

This was disclosed in statement issued by the presidency on Monday.

According to the statement, Akufo-Addo had taken the action after he was informed of allegations of impropriety levelled against Adu Boahen in an upcoming investigative piece about small-scale gold mining.

The piece, titled, ‘galamsey economy’, is by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a prominent Ghanaian investigative journalist.

The statement added that Akufo-Addo had also referred the matter to the special prosecutor for further investigations.

“The president of the republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has terminated the appointment of the minister of state at the ministry of finance, Mr. Charles Adu Boahen, with immediate effect,” the statement reads.

“After being made aware of the allegations levelled against the minister in the exposé “galamsey economy”, the president spoke to Mr. Adu Boahen, after which he took the decision to terminate his appointment, and also to refer the matter to the special prosecutor for further investigations.

“The president thanked Mr. Adu Boahen for his strong services to his government since his appointment in 2017, and wished him well in his future endeavours.”

Meanwhile, in the documentary, Adu Boahen is said to have been caught on tape telling undercover investigators that Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s vice president, needs $200,000 as an appearance fee before meeting with supposed investors.

However, Bawumia denied the allegations and accused Adu Boahen of using his name to peddle influence and collect money from supposed investors.

“My attention has been drawn to a video by Anas Aremeyaw Anas (as posted on his social media handle) showing the minister of state for finance, Mr Charles Adu Boahen, apparently using my name, inter alia, to peddle influence and collect money from supposed investors,” Bawumia said in a Facebook post.

“I would like to state that if what the minister 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.”