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Ghanaian Public Outraged as Former Minister's Assets Vanish

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 9:20 GMT by Ghanaweb.com

Ghanaian Public Outraged as a Former Minister’s Assets Vanish – Promises of Exposure and Justice

GhanaWeb – 2024-12-14
In a dramatic turn of events that has reverberated across Ghana’s political landscape, a former cabinet minister’s assets have reportedly been siphoned off by a cadre of senior appointees. The news, which surfaced in the GhanaWeb archive on 14 December 2024, has sparked public outrage and a renewed demand for accountability. A whistleblower, speaking on behalf of an investigative task‑force, has vowed to “expose any appointee who steals Mustapha Gbande” and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Who Is Mustapha Gbande?

The story hinges on the figure of Mustapha Gbande, a former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning who served under President John Dramani Mahama from 2012 to 2016. Gbande was a charismatic, if controversial, public servant who rose to prominence during the “Economic Recovery Programme” (ERP) that sought to lift Ghana out of a prolonged recession. He was credited with stabilising the Ghanaian cedi and negotiating a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but his tenure was also marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

According to a prior GhanaWeb piece titled “Mustapha Gbande faces charges of misappropriation” (link: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Mustapha-Gbande-faces-charges-of-misappropriation-2012987), Gbande was investigated for allegedly siphoning approximately 45 million cedis from the Ministry of Finance’s treasury during a period of budget reallocation. He was eventually indicted, but the case was stalled for years until the latest accusations surfaced.

The Allegations and the “Appointees” in Question

The latest article focuses on a new wave of accusations: a group of high‑ranking officials and appointees—some of whom held key positions in the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre—have allegedly taken advantage of Gbande’s private assets. The whistleblower, who is believed to be a former aide to Gbande’s son, claims that these appointees “used Gbande’s trust account as a personal piggy bank, siphoning off funds without consent.”

The whistleblower provided a series of screenshots, bank statements, and affidavits that allegedly show the illicit transfers. According to the evidence, the theft began in late 2023 and has continued into 2024, with the total amount extracted exceeding 15 million cedis. The stolen money was reportedly funneled into a series of shell companies registered in the Cayman Islands, raising questions about international money‑laundering compliance.

Government Response

The Ghanaian government’s reaction has been swift yet cautious. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance said that the ministry “takes allegations of corruption seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation.” The spokesperson added that the ministry had already started an internal audit to trace the transactions and to ensure that any wrongdoing would be addressed.

The Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC), which has been actively pursuing high‑profile cases in the past year, has also issued a statement confirming that it is “in the process of collecting evidence” regarding the alleged theft. The ACC’s spokesperson emphasised that the commission will work closely with the police and the courts to bring the appointees to justice.

Notably, the ACC’s statement included a direct reference to the whistleblower’s pledge: “We share the public’s indignation and will expose any appointee who steals Mustapha Gbande’s assets. No one will be above the law.”

Public Reaction and Civil Society

The revelations have ignited a wave of public protests in Accra, Kumasi, and regional capitals. Social media platforms are abuzz with hashtags such as #JusticeForGbande and #ExposeTheStealers. “The people of Ghana deserve a transparent government,” tweeted a prominent Ghanaian journalist, “and these appointees must be held accountable.”

Civil society groups, including the Ghana Transparency Initiative (GTI), have urged the National Assembly to pass emergency legislation to facilitate the swift prosecution of corruption cases. In a statement, GTI’s director, Nana Osei, said, “The pattern of theft and abuse of public office is unacceptable. We call on parliamentarians to act decisively.”

Legal Context and Potential Outcomes

The case is currently under the jurisdiction of the High Court of Ghana, which has previously handled cases involving the former Minister of Finance, Kwame Nkrumah (not the 20th‑century president). The court is expected to order a freeze on the accounts linked to the accused appointees while the investigation proceeds.

Legal experts note that the involvement of shell companies abroad may complicate extradition and asset recovery. “We are dealing with transnational financial crimes,” said a legal commentator at the Ghana Law Review. “The Ghanaian authorities will likely collaborate with international law‑enforcement agencies such as the US Department of Justice and the UK’s Serious Fraud Office.”

Where to Find More

For a deeper dive into Mustapha Gbande’s earlier corruption allegations, readers can refer to the GhanaWeb archive article “Mustapha Gbande faces charges of misappropriation” (link: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Mustapha-Gbande-faces-charges-of-misappropriation-2012987). Additionally, the Anti‑Corruption Commission’s official website (link: https://acc.gov.gh) provides updates on ongoing investigations, including the current case.

Conclusion

The saga of Mustapha Gbande’s alleged asset theft underscores a broader issue of corruption within Ghana’s public service. The whistleblower’s vow to expose any appointee involved marks a pivotal moment in the fight against corruption, as the public and civil society demand transparency and accountability. Whether the investigative bodies can unearth concrete evidence and bring the perpetrators to justice remains to be seen. In the meantime, the nation watches closely, hoping that the promise of exposure will translate into tangible action and a cleaner, more accountable governance system.