Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, has addressed public remarks concerning the reported theft incident at her residence in Abelemkpe, allegedly involving two house helps.
In a brief statement issued on July 21, 2023, the government appointee acknowledged the publications suggesting her involvement with the stolen amounts of one million dollars, three hundred thousand euros, and millions of cedis. She noted noticeable inconsistencies between the public discussions and the original complaint on the matter.
Dapaah stated that she is actively investigating the origins of these inconsistencies and plans to provide a detailed response in the coming days.
Background:
The case involves two of Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s maids, Patience Botwe (A1), 18 years old, and Sarah Adjei (A2), 30 years old, who are facing charges for allegedly stealing a million dollars, along with euros and cedis, during their tenure of employment.
According to the police investigator, Corporal Richard Anani of the CID, the accused admitted to their involvement in stealing the cash and various personal belongings, including clothing, perfumes, and jewelry. A1 confessed to entering the complainant’s bedroom using a duplicate key, and A2 assisted in the theft by keeping watch at the main gate while A1 went into the room to steal money. A2 was arrested in Budumburam, a suburb of Kasoa, and investigation revealed that she used part of the stolen money to build a three-bedroom self-contained house at Budumburam.
What the official charge sheet says
According to an official charge sheet from an Accra Circuit Court, the brazen thefts occurred at the couple’s residence in Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra, over a three-month period from July to October 2022.
The accused, identified as Patience and Sarah, are facing serious charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime and multiple counts of stealing involving staggering amounts of money.
Not only were monetary assets stolen, but the accused also allegedly made off with personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, such as valuable clothes, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry. The stolen items amounted to a shocking value of GH¢95,000 and US$95,000.
Further accusations involved Patience acting alone in the theft of cultural treasures, including six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belonged to the minister’s husband.
The court has also charged three additional individuals in connection with the thefts, revealing the complexity of the case.
The accused allegedly used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, while investigations continue.
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