Ghana’s central bank finds itself entangled in a web of deceit regarding $20 million that it allegedly attempted to launder into the country.
Questions have arisen about the origin of the funds, which were mysteriously brought into the country through Kotoka International Airport, despite the Bank of Ghana’s claim that the money belongs to Liberia.
Interestingly, while asserting that the funds are owned by Liberia, confidential documents relating to the funds list the Bank of Ghana as the consignee. Many bewildered Ghanaians are now demanding answers from the Bank of Ghana, which have not been forthcoming.
Among those seeking crucial information is North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has raised concerns about the substantial money transfer. Ablakwa emphasized,
“The Bank of Ghana must clarify why the supporting documents do not align with the contents of its letter dated August 21, 2024, addressed to customs and airport officials for the clearance of uncirculated banknotes.”
He further pointed out discrepancies between the Bank of Ghana’s claim that the funds were requested by the Central Bank of Liberia for re-export and intercepted documents, including an air waybill, which conspicuously designate the Bank of Ghana as the consignee instead of the Central Bank of Liberia.
Other pressing questions that remain unanswered include the source of the funds, why they were not directly wired to the Central Bank of Liberia, and if their transit through Ghana to Liberia was intentional, why they were not deposited into Bank of Ghana accounts.
Speculation abounds that the money could be illicit funds that the Akufo-Addo government intended to clandestinely introduce into the country, launder on the black market, and subsequently utilize for election campaigns leading up to the 2024 elections.
The purported claim that the funds belong to Liberia appears to be a questionable pretext that the Bank of Ghana provided to authorities at Kotoka International Airport to divert attention.
Leaked confidential documents concerning the funds include an August 21, 2024 letter from the Currency Management Department of the Bank of Ghana to the Assistant Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The letter requested the clearance of the uncirculated banknotes supposedly on behalf of the Central Bank of Liberia into the vaults of the Bank of Ghana.
It detailed that the consignment, arriving on Emirates Airlines flight EK 787, was scheduled to land at Kotoka International Airport on August 27, 2024, with air waybill number 176-7073-725.
Despite being issued on Bank of Ghana letterhead, the letter stated, “By a copy of this letter, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Ltd. is requested to kindly make the necessary security arrangements at Kotoka International Airport to ensure the absolute safety of the consignment.”
However, the letter does not specify the exact source of the cash. An accompanying air waybill indicates an address – Travelex Currency Management Services Limited, Unit 2 Radius Park, Fagos Road FELTHAM SRY 14, Great Britain – as the money transferor.