Ghanaian security operatives have arrested Bright Mensah Bonsu, the man at the centre of a scandal involving the alleged illegal sale of a prime diplomatic property belonging to Ghana’s High Commission in Lagos, Nigeria.
Mensah Bonsu, who has described himself as a “special aide” to the late Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Alhaji Rashid Bawa (appointed by former President Akufo-Addo), is alleged to have received US$1.5 million in cash and signed off documents purporting to sell the beachfront diplomatic property.
Crucially, the US$1.5 million payment was not lodged in any official government account, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that there is no record of this transaction being declared. Documents intercepted by investigators show that the property was valued at US$5.3 million, with the $1.5 million considered a supposed “initial installment.”
It is suspected that the outcome of the 2024 elections disrupted their broader scheme.
In another twist, investigators are probing the issuance of a diplomatic passport to Bright Mensah Bonsu on October 18, 2023, by the previous Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration. All indications suggest that he was not eligible for such a document, having never been an official staff member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ghana High Commission, even though he was frequently seen in the company of the former High Commissioner.
Mensah Bonsu is expected to face criminal prosecution imminently. It remains to be seen how he will justify his claim that he acted under the instruction of “superiors” who allegedly granted him access to official documents related to the property.
This latest development reaffirms the Mahama administration’s commitment to upholding justice and safeguarding Ghana’s diplomatic integrity. The Government of Ghana is working closely with Nigerian authorities and the would-be buyer—who have both petitioned for intervention—to recover the stolen funds and ensure that all involved in this criminal conspiracy are brought to book.
Let it be reiterated: no diplomatic property belonging to the people of Ghana is for sale. Anyone who attempts to test the resolve of this administration will face the full force of the law.
We promised justice. We are delivering it.
For God and Country.
By Peter Quao Adattor
