Ghanaian authorities have apprehended Bright Mensah Bonsu, a man accused of fraudulently receiving $1.5 million in cash as part of an alleged scheme to sell a diplomatic property owned by Ghana’s High Commission in Nigeria.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the arrest via social media on Monday, declaring, “We got him!” in a post that included a photo of Bonsu in custody.
The property at the center of the scandal is a prime beachfront building in Lagos, Nigeria, valued at $5.3 million. According to Ablakwa, Bonsu allegedly posed as a “special aide” to the late Alhaji Rashid Bawa, Ghana’s former High Commissioner to Nigeria, and signed documents purporting to sell the diplomatic asset. The $1.5 million payment, described as a first installment, was reportedly not deposited into government accounts or declared to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, raising questions about its intended use and beneficiaries.
In his statement, Ablakwa emphasized that Bonsu was neither a staff member of the ministry nor the High Commission, despite frequently appearing alongside the late diplomat. The minister also revealed an ongoing probe into how Bonsu obtained a diplomatic passport issued on October 18, 2023, further complicating the case. “As we await criminal prosecution shortly, it would be interesting to see how Mr. Mensah Bonsu backs his claims that he acted on the instructions of his superiors,” Ablakwa added, hinting at potential broader accountability.
The arrest follows months of scrutiny over Ghana’s management of foreign assets, with Ablakwa previously exposing questionable transactions involving diplomatic properties in London and Oslo. This latest incident underscores vulnerabilities in oversight protocols, particularly regarding unauthorized access to sensitive documents and the misuse of diplomatic privileges.
Legal experts note that the case could test Ghana’s anti-corruption framework, given the involvement of high-value state property and allegations of impersonation. Under Ghanaian law, unauthorized sale of diplomatic assets carries severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms. Authorities have yet to disclose whether additional suspects are under investigation or if the $1.5 million has been recovered.
The scandal also revives concerns about accountability within diplomatic circles, where opaque processes and lax verification systems have occasionally enabled exploitation. Analysts point to the need for stricter controls over passport issuance and property management, particularly as Ghana seeks to safeguard its overseas assets amid fiscal constraints.
While the government has not commented on potential diplomatic repercussions with Nigeria, the case is unlikely to strain bilateral relations, given Nigeria’s own history of prosecuting cross-border fraud. However, it serves as a cautionary tale for nations managing extensive foreign portfolios in an era of heightened financial crime scrutiny.
As proceedings unfold, attention will focus on the judiciary’s handling of the case and whether it catalyzes reforms to prevent future breaches. For now, the arrest marks a significant step in what Ablakwa has framed as a broader campaign to “protect Ghana’s sovereignty and resources from opportunistic predators.”
The incident highlights a recurring challenge for governments worldwide: balancing diplomatic discretion with transparency in asset management. For Ghana, a country still grappling with economic recovery efforts, the stakes extend beyond legal outcomes to the integrity of its international reputation. How this case is resolved may well set a precedent for accountability in an increasingly interconnected and scrutinized global landscape.
