–By Grace Zigah
The Chairman of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, James Agalga, has strongly refuted claims made by embattled former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu Boahene, suggesting that nearly GHS 1 million was paid to Members of Parliament to influence the passage of the National Signals Bureau Act, 2020 (Act 1040).
In a press statement issued on Sunday, James Agalga described the allegation as “spurious, baseless, and an act of desperation,” firmly denying any impropriety involving the committee.
The accusation, which emerged through Adu Boahene’s legal team, claims that GHS 960,000 was disbursed as allowances to the committee members to facilitate the enactment of Act 1040.
James Agalga, who currently chairs the committee and served as its ranking member at the time of the Act’s passage, stated categorically:
“It is not possible that Adu Boahene could have facilitated the passage of the said Act by paying monies to the Defence and Interior Committee.”
He backed his position with a timeline of events, explaining that the National Signals Bureau was only legally established in late 2020 following the parliamentary passage of Act 1040.
James Agalga said that during the legislative process, former MP for Mpreaso, Seth Acheampong was the committee chair, while he (Agalga) served as ranking member.
Crucially, James Agalga pointed out that Adu Boahene had no official ties to the Bureau or the committee at the time of the bill’s passage, rendering any claims of financial influence untenable.
Adu Boahene became Director-General long after the passage of Act 1040 and could not therefore have drawn monies from the accounts of an agency which was not even in existence,” Agalga stated.
The Builsa North MP also disclosed that he only met Adu Boahene for the first time in April or May 2021, when the latter appeared before the committee as the newly appointed head of the NSB.
According to Agalga, Adu Boahene was introduced by National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah, and had no involvement in legislative matters prior to that appearance.
“Throughout the period of the enactment of Act 1040, the committee dealt exclusively with the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, who was the principal sponsor of the Bill, and the late Mr. Joshua Kyeremeh, the then National Security Coordinator,” Agalga emphasized.
“The committee had nothing to do with Adu Boahene at the time and therefore could not have received monies from him.”
The statement comes as Adu Boahene faces increasing legal and political scrutiny in the wake of his dismissal and ongoing investigations into his conduct during his tenure at the NSB.
His latest allegation is being interpreted by many within government as a retaliatory move aimed at diverting attention and discrediting key institutions.
James Agalga, in concluding his statement, reaffirmed the integrity of the parliamentary committee and urged the public to disregard the accusation.
“This desperate attempt to tarnish the image of Parliament and its Defence and Interior Committee must be treated with the contempt it deserves,” he said.
The matter continues to develop, with observers closely watching whether Adu Boahene’s legal team will produce any evidence to substantiate their claims or if parliamentary leadership will seek further legal redress.
