–BY Daniel Bampoe
A staggering GH¢8.3 million reportedly disbursed under the guise of national security operations to support an “opposition party” during the 2024 general elections has ignited fierce controversy, drawing the attention of Ghana’s legal, political, and intelligence establishments.
The funds, according to documents now in the public domain, were allegedly used to procure communications equipment for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) — a claim now central to the criminal prosecution of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General, Kwabena Adu-Boahene.
This explosive allegation, revealed through a detailed memorandum authored by Adu-Boahene from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), forms part of a broader legal and political storm that may expose Ghana’s intelligence operations to unprecedented scrutiny.
The GH¢8.3 million expenditure, equivalent to $500,000 at the time, was tagged as part of “Elections Special Ops” in September 2024.
Adu-Boahene who is believed attends the same church with President Mahama insists the disbursement was aimed at promoting “national cohesion and political impartiality,” and argues it was authorized within the framework of classified operations undertaken to stabilize the post-election environment.
However, critics say the label is a thin veil for what amounts to the misuse of public funds to influence partisan political activity.
This revelation adds a dramatic layer to the charges brought by Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, who on April 30, 2025 arraigned Adu-Boahene on multiple counts of stealing and causing financial loss to the state.
The former NSB boss faces accusations related to the misuse of tens of millions of cedis earmarked for national security between 2020 and 2024.
In a letter dated May 6, 2025, addressed to the National Security Coordinator and copied to senior national security officials, Adu-Boahene’s lawyers, Zoe, Akyea & Co., led by Samuel Atta Akyea mounted a strong defence.
They argue that the prosecution violates the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030) and the National Signals Bureau Act, 2020 (Act 1040), both of which they say shield classified operations from public exposure and political interference.
Attached to the legal correspondence is a breakdown of over GH¢45 million in expenditures executed by the NSB over four years.
These include:
GH¢9.5 million for cyber and electronic surveillance tools in 2020 (code-named Taurus, Scorpion, Essien 1 & 2, Hive).
GH¢6.9 million for anti-terrorism operations under Operation Conquered Fist.
GH¢3.78 million for anti-crime activities under Operation Calm Life.
Over GH¢14 million in election-related logistics and allowances disbursed during the 2020 and 2024 elections.
Nearly GH¢1.3 million in allowances to Members of Parliament and parliamentary committees for passing the NSB Act and its Legislative Instruments.
But it is the GH¢8.3 million spent to support the opposition party — now publicly identified as the NDC — that has raised the most serious questions.
Legal experts, political opponents, and civil society groups have begun to ask whether national security funds were weaponized to tilt the electoral playing field in favour of a particular party.
From his EOCO cell, Adu-Boahene denied all wrongdoing. “Angela [his wife] and I would never steal public funds,” he wrote in the memo.
“We are full of content with the modest blessings God has given us.”
He further accused EOCO Director, Raymond Archer of distorting facts to mislead the authorities, claiming that the investigations were politically motivated and potentially damaging to the government.
“I have tried to withhold classified information from my interrogators,” he warned, “but I deem it prudent to inform your good office that in light of the current developments, we run the risk of public disclosure of sensitive national security and intelligence operations.”
As the case moves forward, the courts will be forced to balance legal accountability with the state’s interest in maintaining the confidentiality of intelligence operations.
