Akufo-Addo will be jailed when NDC takes over power in 2021 – Yayra Koku predicts

An outspoken member of opposition National Democratic Congress ( NDC) Yayra Koku, has declared that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will be the first former President to face criminal prosecution and be jailed over his involvement in printing of new banknotes by the Bank of Ghana come 2021 when the NDC ascends to power.

He made his declaration after the Minority in Parliament concluded at a press conference on the new banknotes issue, with a promise to conduct a forensic audit into the printing of the notes, focusing on the roles of BoG board as well as friends and family of President Akufo-Addo.

“Akufo-Addo is going to be the first President in Ghana to face criminal trial after 2021…” he wrote on social media.

Mr Koku cited the constitution as a basis for his claim. Article 55(6) provides for the criminal prosecution of former Presidents within three years after their tenure in office.

The recent issuance of the 100 Cedi and 200 Cedi notes and 2 Cedi coins has been met with skepticism by a cross section of the Ghanaian public, with many pointing out the irony in advocating for a cashless economy while printing new banknotes notes while others have accused the government of seeking to use the introduction of new notes to fund their campaign in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.

However, the Bank of Ghana has strenuously defended their action stressing convenience for large transactions among others.

The Minority in Parliament has however vowed to investigate circumstances surrounding the printing of the notes.