OSP refutes media reports on Cecilia Dapaah

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) refutes media reports on Cecilia Dapaah and also cautions the media against publishing misleading reports on its findings concerning former Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

The OSP stressed that its half-yearly report has been misrepresented, particularly claims that the FBI “cleared” the former minister of corruption.

A public notice released by the OSP clarified that recent claims suggesting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had “cleared” Ms. Dapaah or “found no evidence of corruption” were inaccurate and misrepresented the office’s half-yearly report.

According to the OSP, its report indicated that no direct and immediate evidence of corruption had been established following extensive investigations carried out jointly with the FBI. However, it stressed that this legal conclusion is not the same as declaring “no evidence” or “a clearance.”

The statement explained that the probe uncovered strong indications of suspected money laundering and structuring, offences that fall under the mandate of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The OSP revealed that the case had initially been referred to EOCO under its previous leadership, but the docket was returned without action. Following a request by the new EOCO leadership, the matter has once again been transferred for further review.

“The OSP urges all media outlets to report with precision and fidelity to the text of official documents to ensure accurate, fair, and responsible public communication on matters of high national interest,” the notice stressed.

The investigation into Cecilia Dapaah began in July 2023 after reports of large sums of money allegedly stolen from her residence by domestic staff sparked public outrage. Subsequent searches by the OSP uncovered additional funds of US$590,000 and GHS 2.73 million, leading to the freezing of her bank accounts and properties.

READ: Government pays GH¢9.7bn coupon under debt exchange programme

In its half-year report for 2025, the OSP disclosed that despite nearly seven months of inquiries and collaboration with the FBI, no direct evidence of corruption had been linked to the seized assets. However, the office charged Ms. Dapaah for failing to declare her income within the stipulated timeframe as required under Section 69(1)(a) of the OSP Act, 2017 (Act 959).