Former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has told the Accra High Court that her stolen jewellery, valued at $95,000, was accumulated over 35 years.

She was testifying in a high-profile case in which seven individuals, including her former househelps, are facing trial for allegedly stealing large sums of money and valuable items from her residence.

According to Mrs. Dapaah, the accused persons stole not only her jewellery but also significant amounts of money. She stated that $210,000 belonging to her late brother, Nana Akwasi Essan II (also known as Charles Dapaah), was taken from her home. The stolen amount, she explained, was part of an $800,000 sum that had been entrusted to her for safekeeping by her elder brother, Henry Osei Kwabena, following their mother’s instructions.

In addition to these losses, the court heard that:

• $200,000 belonging to Dorcas Wiredua, a client and relative of her husband, was stolen.
• £300,000 belonging to her husband was taken.
• GH¢300,000, which was meant for the final funeral rites of her late mother, went missing.
• GH¢50,000 of her personal funds was also stolen.

The seven accused individuals—Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei (both former househelps), along with Benjamin Sowah, Malik Dauda, Christiana Achab, Job Pomary, and Yahaya Sumaila—are facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to steal, stealing, dishonestly receiving, and money laundering.

They have all pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail.

This case first made headlines in mid-2023 when reports emerged that Mrs. Dapaah had lost over $1 million and other valuables from her home. The incident sparked national outrage, with many questioning why such large amounts of money were kept at home rather than in financial institutions. The controversy eventually led to her resignation from her ministerial position.