Published: August 28, 2024
MONROVIA – Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of the Ghanaian Parliament, has raised concerns regarding a shipment of US$20 million allegedly sent by the Central Bank of Liberia to Ghana, to be kept in the Bank of Ghana’s vault until an available flight can transport the money to Liberia.
The parliamentarian revealed on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) a letter written by Mr. Evans Okeyre-Addo, a member of the Currency Management Department at the Bank of Ghana, addressed to the Assistant Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Customs Division seeking permission to “clear uncirculated banknotes” at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The letter, dated August 21, 2024, states that the consignment of uncirculated banknotes was carried by Emirates Airline, Flight No. EK787, which arrived in Ghana on Wednesday, August 27, 2024, at 11:05 hours. The consignment was covered by Airway Bill No. 176-7073-7225. The money was transported from Heathrow Airport in London.
“Please note that the consignment will be re-exported whenever there is an available flight to Monrovia, Liberia,” the letter stated.
The communication also sought the assistance of the Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Ltd. to arrange necessary security measures at KIA to ensure the absolute safety of the consignment.
In his posts on Facebook and X, the Ghanaian parliamentarian expressed concerns about inconsistencies between the supporting documents of the consignment and the content of the August 21, 2024, letter to customs and airport officials seeking clearance for the uncirculated banknotes.
As of the publication of this news article, The Liberian Investigator had not been able to independently verify whether the money belongs to the Central Bank of Liberia, as claimed by the Bank of Ghana official.
“Even though the Bank of Ghana claims the money was ordered by the Central Bank of Liberia and that the cash will be re-exported to Monrovia whenever there is an available flight, other intercepted documents, including an airway bill, indicate emphatically that the consignee is the Bank of Ghana and not the Central Bank of Liberia,” Ablakwa stated.
“My international partners and I will continue tracking this US$20 million from London to verify if indeed the fresh banknotes will be transferred to Liberia, when the transfer will occur, and whether the full amount will be sent,” he added.
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