Scandals are an inevitable part of any government, and the manner in which they are handled, as well as the individuals involved, determine the extent of damage suffered by the government.
Under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has faced its fair share of scandals, with notable involvement of Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, who is a cousin of the President and has strong affiliations with the NPP.
The most recent “scandal” surfaced when a Member of Parliament from the opposition National Democratic Congress reported that Gabby, through his law firm, was seeking to obtain GH¢187 million from the government.
Despite claiming not to be a politician, Gabby has been dubbed the Prime Minister of Ghana, which reflects the significant influence he wields.
Various scandals have been associated with Gabby or his interests, including:
- The Agyapa Royalties deal: In 2020, the government’s proposal to raise money through floating shares in Agyapa Royalties Limited on the London Stock Exchange faced criticism for being secretive and potentially corrupt. Gabby’s firm was revealed to be transaction advisors in the deal, but veteran journalist Kweku Baako clarified that Gabby’s firm received about US$103,000, not the alleged US$2 million.
- PDS scandal: The government terminated a concessionaire agreement with Power Distribution Service Ghana Limited (PDS) due to challenges with the financial guarantee. Critics accused the government of not acting in Ghana’s best interest and suggested that powerful elements within the administration sought to benefit from the deal. Gabby’s name was mentioned in relation to the deal.
- Ameri deal: Former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko claimed that Gabby singlehandedly re-negotiated the Ameri deal without the government’s consent, leading to his dismissal. Agyarko confronted Gabby, who allegedly informed him that President Akufo-Addo was aware of the actions taken.
- Frimpong-Boateng galamsey report: A leaked report by former Environment Minister Prof. Frimpong-Boateng mentioned Gabby’s legal services to a galamsey company as interference in his work. Gabby responded by suing for defamation, disputing some of the claims made against him.
In light of these scandals, it remains essential for the government to address them transparently and ensure accountability among its members to mitigate the potential damage to its reputation.
