The NPP, the opposition government, not only embezzled and looted state properties and laundered money to put many institutions in debt or bankruptcy, but it also cost the country billions of dollars in lost revenue from projects either approved by parliament or not, but never constructed for the benefit of the populace. The NPP was unable to construct many projects, and the associated funds vanished into thin air. Would a government that genuinely cares about its citizens commit such terrible crimes?
The former government had a number of advantages that allowed financial crimes to be committed quickly. The first benefit was that, prior to losing the 2024 elections, the NPP held the majority in the parliament. The minority NDC was unable to challenge the parliament’s approved project funding and, more significantly, the fact that Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, is related to President Akufo-Addo, which acted as a stimulus for the quick execution of corruption schemes.
In February 2019, Africa Investor Holdings Limited received $2 million for initial Sky Train project construction under the leadership of former Ghanaian leader Akufo-Addo. The project was to facilitate easy movement and ease traffic congestion. However, the project was never constructed, and the money was never recovered. The more criminal part of the issue was that the payment for the project was allegedly done without the required board consent. The same thing the NPP government did by printing new currencies on three occasions without the approval of parliament.
The NPP administration authorized $700 million to build a multipurpose dam in the Talensi District at Pwalugu, and President Akufo-Addo announced on November 29, 2019, that the dam’s construction would permanently prevent the recurring flooding in neighboring Burkina Faso that results from the overflow of the Bagre Dam. However, due to financial difficulties, the Pwalugu multipurpose dam project was never completed, according to former vice president Mahamudu Bawumia.
In a shocking development, on June 5, 2025, Mr. Kwame Governs Agbodza, the minister of roads and transportation, revealed that a contractor for the Tamale-Walewale Road project had received close to $30 million and the project is just 1% physically completed, and the site has hardly been touched. The project, which was started with great fanfare and had a reported cost of $158,617.76, has been completely abandoned, leading to harsh criticism amid embezzled funds.
Akufo-Addo, the former Ghanaian president, promised God in 2016 that if he wins the presidential race, he will build a cathedral to dedicate to him. As you heard right, it was a self-promise dedication. However, as the president’s time in office advanced, the cathedral project became a national issue. Seven years on, Ghana’s taxpayers have spent $58 million on the project, for which, as of December 2024, neither the foundation of the project nor a pillar has been constructed. Later it became a swimming pool.
When the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, was arrested and detained by EOCO, it was alleged that he had collected GH¢50 million for road building from the Ghana Cocoa Board—COCOBOD, in the last days of the Akufo-Addo administration. However, Mr. Bosiako has denied the allegations, telling reporters in Accra on May 26, 2025, just after being released on bond, that “It is absolutely untrue that I collected money from COCOBOD.”
Ex-president Akufo-Addo stated on August 17, 2021, that Agenda 111, involving 88 hospitals, would be built at a cost of US$16.88 million each. He mentioned the US$4 million for medical equipment and the US$12.88 million for building. According to the president, all of the hospitals must be finished within eighteen months. At the end of the NPP’s administration, it was revealed that only one hospital was built and not equipped. These are some few articles I wrote about Agenda 111.
Agenda 111: A Hyperbole Of A Deceitful Ghanaian Leader
Let’s Search For ‘Agenda 111,’ In Ghana, It Has Disappeared
Akufo Addo’s Agenda 111 Was A Deception – Dr. Thomas Anaba …
No Lands For ‘Agenda 111’ Hospital Is Untrue; The Project Lacks …
Other properties that were demolished to give space for the failed cathedral are the Comsys IT Firm headquarters, the Waterstone real estate luxury apartment complex, the Malian Ambassador’s Residence, and the bungalows for CHRAJ. Furthermore, despite his pledge to do so, Akufo-Addo demolished the hospital that served the residents of La-Teshie-Nungua and did not replace it. On January 15, 2022, I wrote, “Akufo Addo Has To Pay For The Demolition Of Judges’ Bungalows…”
All of these initiatives, including ,one village, one dam, one region, one theatre,” involved building contemporary, spacious theaters in all regional capitals, aside from Accra, starting in Takoradi, Tamale, and Kumasi. One market, one district: to improve domestic trade, modern markets and retail facilities should be developed in each district. The construction of two new police hospitals in Sunyani and Bolgatanga, as well as new harbors in Jamestown, Accra, and Keta, not only became a pipe dream but also cost Ghana billions of dollars.
The deployment of drones for medical emergencies was rejected by the majority of Ghanaians, who called it a misguided goal. More significantly, the minority in Parliament believes that the $12.5 million project is not worth the money when that amount could be used for a significant project. Even though neither of the two prison service hospitals, one for the southern sector and one for the northern sector, came to pass or produced any beneficial outcomes, they instead cost the country money.
There are many projects for which funds were officially approved by parliament or illegally acquired with the intention to build, but they were never done. In addition to fighting corruption, it is the responsibility of every Ghanaian to realize the impact of corruption in the nation and to prevent any politician with a false agenda from either embezzling state funds or looting the nation.
