Ex-Ghana Security Chief arrested over alleged $1.7 Million embezzlement

The Ghanaian government has intensified its anti-corruption campaign with the arrest of Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), over allegations of embezzling funds from a cyber-security contract.

Adu-Boahene is accused of misappropriating money from a $7 million contract meant to strengthen Ghana’s cyber-security infrastructure. The contract, signed in January 2020 with Israeli firm RLC Holdings Limited, aimed to combat digital espionage, data breaches, and cyber threats.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, disclosed that Adu-Boahene allegedly transferred over 27 million Ghanaian cedis ($1.7 million) from NSB’s accounts into a private business account linked to himself and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng. Investigators from Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) suspect that the couple used the misappropriated funds to acquire multiple properties within and outside the country.

Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, with authorities working to identify further accomplices.

The crackdown is part of President John Mahama’s broader anti-corruption efforts, which include an ongoing investigation into former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta over alleged financial irregularities concerning government bonds and public debt management.

Additionally, authorities are probing a large-scale payroll fraud scheme at Ghana’s National Service Secretariat, where over 81,000 fake identities were reportedly used to siphon public funds.

“The era of impunity is over. We will ensure that all those responsible for the looting of public funds face the full force of the law,” Ayine declared.

As Ghana seeks financial stability and international confidence, the government has promised swift prosecutions in the coming months.

Governance reforms are also a key condition for financial assistance the administration is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).