A businessman, Collins Darkwah Aboagye, has accused the Board Chairman of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II (Kwahumanhene), of extorting a significant sum of money from him in exchange for securing a 12 million Ghana Cedis loan for his company, Prabhat Trading Limited.
In a petition to the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Mr. Aboagye detailed how Daasebre allegedly demanded a bribe of 50,000 Ghana Cedis upfront and a further loan from the approved 12 million Ghana Cedis loan.
“Under pressure from my suppliers to procure logistics for the cashew to be supplied, I had no other choice than to agree to the conditions,” Mr. Aboagye stated in his petition.
Despite fulfilling these demands, Mr. Aboagye claims that Daasebre continued to pressure him for additional funds, threatening to use his position to frustrate the business if he did not comply.
“He finally came through the Tema branch manager of the Bank – Kwame Peasah, who called to remind me of Daasebre’s loan and the fact that he needed it to solve an emergency and will repay in two weeks,” Mr. Aboagye wrote.
According to the petition, Mr. Aboagye eventually succumbed to the pressure and transferred 2 million Ghana Cedis to Daasebre’s bank account.
However, Daasebre failed to repay the loan or interest, despite repeated promises to do so.
“His Excellency, I am by this petition humbly requesting that you intervene to help me retrieve the total sum of GHS2,406,000.00 together with the accrued interest from Daasebre and also to restrain him from using his position to intimidate and frustrate my business,” Mr. Aboagye pleaded in his petition.
The petition has raised serious concerns about corruption and abuse of power within the Ghanaian financial sector.
The allegations against Daasebre, a prominent traditional leader and influential figure in the country, have the potential to damage the reputation of the ADB and the Ghanaian government.
The President’s office has acknowledged receipt of the petition and has referred it to the ADB for comments.
The outcome of this investigation will likely have significant implications for the future of Daasebre and the ADB.
Below is the Petition
Response from the Office of the President
