In recent years, Ghana has been rocked by high-profile financial scandals involving prominent public figures, with two individuals—Charles Adu Boahen and Kwabena Adu-Boahene—making headlines for alleged financial misconduct. While their names are strikingly similar, their cases are distinct, shedding light on the broader issue of corruption and accountability in Ghana’s public sector. This article delves into the details of both cases, drawing on credible sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the events, investigations, and outcomes.
Charles Adu Boahen: Influence Peddling and the "Galamsey Economy" Exposé
Charles Kofi Adu Boahen, born in May 1970, is a Ghanaian investment banker, businessman, and politician who served as a Deputy Minister of Finance from 2017 to 2021, before being elevated to Minister of State at the Finance Ministry in June 2021 under President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration. Adu Boahen, who relinquished his U.S. citizenship to comply with Ghanaian laws for government appointees, was tasked with assisting the Finance Minister in external resource mobilization and financial oversight. However, his tenure came to an abrupt end in November 2022 following allegations of corruption.
According to a report by Citinewsroom published on October 30, 2023, Adu Boahen was implicated in an investigation by Tiger Eye P.I., a private investigation firm led by renowned Ghanaian journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. The exposé, titled Galamsey Economy, focused on illegal mining activities in Ghana and alleged that Adu Boahen was involved in influence peddling—a practice closely associated with corruption. Excerpts of the investigation were first published by the New Crusading Guide newspaper, prompting swift action from the government. On November 14, 2022, President Akufo-Addo sacked Adu Boahen and referred the matter to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for further investigation.
Adu Boahen denied the allegations, claiming that the 2018 incident captured in the exposé was an attempt to entrap him. He also announced his resignation on the same day to avoid being a "distraction" during the investigation, as noted in a Wikipedia entry updated on March 22, 2025. The OSP concluded its investigation in 2023, finding that while Adu Boahen’s actions amounted to influence peddling, there was no criminal prohibition under Ghanaian law that warranted prosecution. As a result, he was cleared of all charges, though the OSP noted that the investigation could be reopened if new evidence emerged.
Despite his dismissal, Adu Boahen continued to serve as a director on the Bank of Ghana board for a period, according to the 2022 Bank of Ghana report. Additionally, in January 2023, his company, Black Star Brokerage, had its certification renewed by the Bank of Ghana to operate as a foreign exchange broker, signaling that his business interests remained intact despite the scandal.
Kwabena Adu-Boahene: Embezzlement at the National Signals Bureau
While Charles Adu Boahen’s case centered on influence peddling, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), faces far more direct charges of embezzlement, fraud, and illicit financial transactions. According to a Ghanamma.com report published on March 24, 2025, Kwabena Adu-Boahene was arrested following a complex investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The former NSB head, who served from 2017 until February 2025, is accused of diverting significant sums of money from the Bureau’s accounts to his private company, BNC Communications Bureau Limited, which he co-owns with his wife.
During his tenure, Kwabena Adu-Boahene oversaw critical national security infrastructure, including a 2020 deal with an Israeli company, ISC Holdings Limited, to purchase cyber defense software for $7 million. However, an audit of the NSB’s finances revealed irregularities, with substantial amounts of money transferred to BNC Communications. The exact amount allegedly embezzled has not been officially confirmed, but estimates suggest it could be in the range of millions of dollars.
The investigation into Kwabena Adu-Boahene’s activities took a dramatic turn when EOCO received intelligence that he had fled Ghana for the UK on February 25, 2025, aboard British Airways flight BA078. Further information indicated that he had traveled to Dubai and initially booked a return flight to Ghana on Emirates Flight EK187 for March 21, 2025. However, he canceled this flight and rescheduled his return for April 8, 2025, in an apparent attempt to evade authorities. Kwabena Adu-Boahene was arrested upon his return to Ghana, and he now faces charges related to embezzlement and fraud, as confirmed by Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine.
Public Reaction and the Broader Implications
The cases of Charles Adu Boahen and Kwabena Adu-Boahene have sparked significant public discourse in Ghana, highlighting the challenges of combating corruption in high-level government positions. While Charles Adu Boahen was cleared of criminal charges, the OSP’s finding that his actions constituted influence peddling has raised questions about the adequacy of Ghana’s anti-corruption laws. The fact that he was not prosecuted despite engaging in unethical behavior has led some to argue for legal reforms to address such gray areas.
Kwabena Adu-Boahene’s case, on the other hand, appears more straightforward, with concrete evidence of financial misconduct. His arrest underscores the importance of robust auditing and oversight mechanisms within government agencies, particularly those handling sensitive national security contracts. The involvement of foreign companies, such as ISC Holdings Limited, also raises concerns about the transparency of international deals and the potential for public funds to be siphoned off through private entities.
Conclusion
The scandals involving Charles Adu Boahen and Kwabena Adu-Boahene, though unrelated, reflect the pervasive issue of corruption in Ghana’s public sector. While Charles Adu Boahen has managed to avoid criminal prosecution and continue his business ventures, Kwabena Adu-Boahene’s arrest signals a more aggressive stance by authorities against clear-cut financial crimes. Together, these cases highlight the need for stronger anti-corruption measures, greater accountability, and public vigilance to ensure that those entrusted with public resources act in the best interests of the nation. As Ghana continues to grapple with these challenges, the outcomes of these cases may set important precedents for how corruption is addressed in the future.
