Nana Bediatuo Asante, Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is passing out as the unnamed private legal practitioner mentioned in the latest Anas video and said to have boasted that he influenced the appointment of Charles Adu Boahen, as a Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.
According to an undercover investigative reportage by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, this senior barrister and solicitor in a meeting with his Tiger Eye PI team in a hotel room in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, noted that he was instrumental prior to the appointment of Charles Adu Boahen to the finance ministry.
The lawyer, whose name, Anas, left out for guesswork, has been described by him as a traditional ruler.
Interestingly, the current Executive Secretary to the President, is also the Apagyahene of Akyem Abuakwa, President Akufo-Addo’s hometown in the Eastern Region.
The two are indeed related and have been one of the reasons why the President is accused of having a “family and friends” government.
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The President, has since sacked Charles Adu Boahen, who has been under pressure from both sides of the Parliament to resign together with Ken Ofori-Atta, the substantive Minister of Finance over conflict of interest, nonperformance, economic mismanagement among others.
The dismissal, which was contained in a statement by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, has left room for speculation that Charles Adu Boahen, is being sacrificed to have credibility for Ken Ofori-Atta, another cousin of President Akufo-Addo, who he is refusing to sack, despite mounting pressure from some 95 MPs from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
President Akufo-Addo doesn’t want to sack Ken Ofori-Atta, because he had invested heavily in his presidential ambition.
He also told some NPP MPs, who met with him over the matter that he is putting discussion on the dismissal until he had completed negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for the 3 billion dollars bailout and also read the 2023 Budget statement.
The statement from the Presidency, said the action, follows the President being aware of allegations levelled against the Minister in the Tiger Eye P.I. expose, ‘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,” the statement said.
Quite surprisingly, before the President’s letter announcing the termination of Mr Adu Boahen’s appointment, he had himself issued a statement which was also published on his Facebook page announcing his resignation.
“This follows an attempt to entrap myself and other persons in 2018. Substantively I have not been involved in this act of which I am being accused. I do not however wish to be a distraction to Government and the Ministry of Finance at this crucial moment.
“Consequently I have submitted my resignation to the President of the Republic. I will however look forward to a full investigation which I hope will reveal that I have not committed this act.
According to an undercover investigative reportage by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, the Tiger Eye PI, team posed as investors who wanted to get close to some individuals in the corridors of power to help them establish some businesses in the country.
He said, when they got in touch with the lawyer, he stated categorically that he could not control the president or the vice but rather he will try and do his best to see their investments through.
“A senior solicitor and a traditional chief, said he was not in the position to control or suggest a package for the President of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in a meeting in a hotel room in the United Arab Emirates.
“The Barrister told the Tiger Eye investigators, posed as business tycoons, that he could not manipulate the President to do his bidding. However, he will try to help them have access to the President and his Vice and some influencers to do their business in Ghana,” Anas Aremeyaw Anas wrote on his Facebook timeline barely a few hours before the showing of his documentary dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’
“I’ll try. I’ll do my best. You see we are talking of the President, so, I cannot tell you that I can control the President but, I can tell you that I will do my best to ensure that whatever that you want shall be done,
“You see, I think it’s a bit too early for me to start to talk about these things. I mean talk about the package for the President, etc. For me, Sir, money is important, (but) money is not everything. It is the relationship. When we have a good relationship, money will come.
“So, don’t worry about the package, we can always (do that). You are a good man. So, let’s leave that one out. But in Ghana, when you set up a business and you engage local partners, you, the investor, must retain at least 75% which gives you control. At least, let’s say, speaking in respect of the bank,” the lawyer is quoted to have said, stressing that he was instrumental in the appointment of Adu Boahene.
Anas’ post also quoted copious claims by Adu Boahen about how he could facilitate meetings with Vice President Bawumia at a cost of US$200,000.
Bawumia’s aide has in the same report rejected the claim as untrue.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas‘ undercover documentary dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’ shows at the Accra International Conference Centre today November 14, at 4.00 and 8.00 pm.
Ahead of the dismissal and resignation the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, called for the dismissal of Charles Adu Boahen, if it confirmed that he had used his “name, inter alia, to peddle influence and collect money from supposed investors”.
But taking to his Facebook, today, Monday, November 14, 2022, the Vice-President, who sounded very angry wrote “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.
“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.
“I am not aware of any such meeting held by Minister Adu Boahen or a supposed “appearance fee”.
“My most cherished asset in life is my integrity and I will not allow anyone to use my name to engage in corrupt activities.
The said video premiers later today at the Accra International Conference Centre.
