The Government of Ghana has made a major breakthrough in its pursuit of justice over a diplomatic property scandal that rocked the country’s foreign mission in Nigeria.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Bright Mensah Bonsu, the man accused of receiving a staggering US$1.5 million in cash from an attempted illegal sale of Ghana’s prime diplomatic property in Lagos, has been arrested by Ghanaian security operatives.
In a public statement, Hon. Ablakwa declared, “We got him!” — signalling a bold step toward accountability and transparency in one of Ghana’s most scandalous international property fraud cases in recent times.
According to the Minister, Bright Mensah Bonsu allegedly played a central role in orchestrating the illicit transaction involving the High Commission’s beachfront property in Lagos, Nigeria.
“Bright Mensah Bonsu describes himself as a special aide to former Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, the late Alhaji Rashid Bawa who was appointed by President Akufo-Addo.
“It is important to emphasise that the US$ 1.5 million cash was not paid into government accounts, nor is there any record at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the cash was officially declared.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs
Hon. Ablakwa noted that the 2024 general elections, which saw the National Democratic Congress (NDC) return to power, appear to have disrupted the full execution of what he described as a “grand conspiracy” to defraud the state.
Ineligible Diplomatic Passport
In a sharp indictment of the previous administration, Hon. Ablakwa revealed ongoing investigations into how Mr Bonsu obtained a diplomatic passport on October 18, 2023, under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government, despite being ineligible under diplomatic norms.
“From all assessments, he could not have been eligible for a diplomatic passport,” Hon. Ablakwa stated, hinting at possible collusion or administrative negligence.
According to Hon. Ablakwa, Bright Mensah Bonsu was not a staff member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria, even though he was often seen in the company of the High Commissioner.
He further added that the arrest would mark the beginning of criminal prosecution and assured that the truth would be fully exposed in court.
“As we await criminal prosecution shortly, it would be interesting to see how Mr. Mensah Bonsu backs his claims that he acted on the instructions of his superiors, and that those superiors gave him access to documents on the diplomatic property”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Ghanaian government is under immense pressure to not only prosecute the individuals involved but also to recover the US$1.5 million already paid out.
The Minister disclosed that the Nigerian government officials and the intended buyer of the property have submitted multiple petitions to the Mahama administration, urging immediate intervention.
Hon. Ablakwa reassured both the Nigerian authorities and the Ghanaian public that the NDC government is committed to upholding international integrity and bilateral cooperation.
“This latest significant development should send clear assurances to Nigerian government officials and the Nigerian attempted buyer… that we take this matter very seriously and will do everything in our power to bring the notorious criminals to justice and recover the US$1.5 million”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs
In his concluding remarks, the Minister strongly reiterated President Mahama’s government’s zero tolerance for the unauthorised sale of state-owned diplomatic properties, warning that “severe consequences await anyone who tests our resolve.”
He emphasised that the Mahama-led administration will not protect any official, past or present, who is found culpable.
“The Mahama administration would not shield anyone who played a role in this grand conspiracy, not only to commit crime but to dent Ghana’s enviable international image”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs
Hon. Ablakwa also stressed that the National Democratic Congress administration is equally determined not to allow this “condemnable incident” to mar Ghana’s great and ancestral bilateral relations with Nigeria.
This unfolding saga underscores the importance of accountability in diplomatic service and raises questions about oversight and document handling within Ghana’s foreign missions.
The arrest also sends a powerful message across Ghana’s diplomatic corps that the misuse of public office and state resources will not be tolerated, regardless of political affiliations.
For now, the focus shifts to the impending legal proceedings and the government’s efforts to recover lost funds and rebuild the nation’s image abroad.
As Hon. Ablakwa puts it, “We promised that justice would be done, we are keeping our word.”
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