Mahama’s anti-graft war deepens as former NPA chief faces trial

Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts gained momentum on Thursday as the Office of the Special Prosecutor announced charges against Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the former head of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and six others over a $28 million corruption and money laundering case.

The prosecution is part of President John Mahama’s renewed anti-graft campaign launched in early 2025, aimed at recovering looted public funds and sanitizing government institutions.

According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Abdul-Hamid faces 25 charges including extortion by a public officer and money laundering, allegedly committed between 2022 and December 2024.

The agency said Abdul-Hamid personally received $2.3 million and facilitated a wider corruption scheme totaling $28 million.

In a phone interview with AFP, Abdul-Hamid denied all the allegations, saying, “I have never taken a bribe or been part of any illicit scheme during my time at the NPA. I am willing to cooperate with the state to clear my name in court.”

The Special Prosecutor also named Jacob Kwamina Amuah, a former coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund, and NPA official Wendy Newman as principal figures in the alleged scheme.

Both are accused of unlawfully collecting funds from oil marketing firms and transporters, then laundering the proceeds through front companies.

Three companies m, Propnest Ltd., Kel Logistics Ltd., and Kings Energy Ltd., were identified as channels for laundering the illegal funds.

Read Also

Trump-Era deportation policy sends five violent offenders to African monarchy

Authorities claim these companies were used to buy houses, acquire trucks for an oil distribution venture, and construct filling stations. One of Kel Logistics Ltd.’s directors is currently on the run.

President Mahama, who resumed office in January, has vowed to restore public trust and recover stolen resources.

His administration’s handling of this case is seen as a litmus test for his sincerity in fighting corruption.

“Mahama’s credibility depends on how even-handed these prosecutions are. Ghanaians are watching whether this is genuine reform or a political purge in disguise,” said Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, a political analyst at the University of Ghana.

Since the campaign kicked off, several officials have been arrested or charged, while many others remain under active investigation.

AFP