Former NDC Officials Who Were Arrested Under President Kufuor’s Government

When President John Agyekum Kufuor assumed office in 2001 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), one of his administration’s top priorities was the fight against corruption. This led to the prosecution and imprisonment of several former officials of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), many of whom had served under President Jerry John Rawlings. While the Kufuor government argued that these arrests were necessary for accountability, critics believed they were politically motivated attempts to weaken the opposition.

One of the most high-profile arrests was that of Tsatsu Tsikata, former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). He was convicted in 2008 for willfully causing financial loss to the state, a charge stemming from a loan guarantee GNPC issued under his leadership. Tsikata was later granted a presidential pardon, which he publicly rejected, maintaining his innocence.

Victor Selormey, former Deputy Finance Minister, was convicted for his role in the “Quality Grain Scandal.” He died in 2005 while serving a jail sentence. Other officials implicated in the same scandal included Kwame Peprah (former Finance Minister) and Ibrahim Adam (former Agriculture Minister). Both were convicted and imprisoned for allegedly mismanaging state funds related to a failed rice project.

Another key figure was Dan Abodakpi, former Trade and Industry Minister, who was sentenced in 2007 for misapplying $400,000 meant for economic development. His arrest caused significant public outcry, especially from the NDC, which accused the government of using the judiciary to target political opponents.

While these cases marked a significant moment in Ghana’s political history, they also sparked debates about selective justice and the politicization of anti-corruption efforts. The legacy of these prosecutions continues to influence public discourse on governance and accountability in Ghana.

Sources:MyJoyOnline