AfCFTA Executive Assistant in Court for Allegedly Defrauding US-Based Ghanaian of GH¢221,750

An Executive Assistant at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Anthonette Ama Boakye, has allegedly diverted an investment sum of GH¢221,750.00 into online betting.

The amount was entrusted to her by a Ghanaian businessman based in the United States to invest in an airline ticketing venture. Instead, prosecutors say she channelled the funds into her Betway account.

Boakye, 32, has since been arraigned before the Circuit Court 3 in Accra to face a charge of defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). She has pleaded not guilty. The case is presided over by Her Honour Susana Eduful.

The court granted her GH¢200,000 bail, with three sureties, two of whom must be close relatives, and one required to justify the bail. She is expected to reappear on January 6, 2026.

How It Started

Presenting the facts, Chief Inspector Princess Tetteh Boafo said the complainant, Alfred Adu, was introduced to Boakye in July 2023 by a police officer, Vincent Ariston Attipoe, stationed at the Legon Police Station.

Boakye was at the time in police custody on a similar allegation. During conversations, she allegedly told Attipoe about a profitable flight ticket procurement deal at USAID, her former workplace, which required an investor to pre-finance the purchase of both local and international tickets for quick returns.

Attipoe subsequently sold the idea to Adu. After a three-way call with Boakye upon her release from police cells, Adu agreed to invest in the purported business.

Funds Transferred

Between April 15 and June 5, 2024, Adu sent GH¢74,837.00 to Attipoe’s mobile money account to be forwarded to Boakye.

He later transferred GH¢146,913.00 directly to Boakye’s mobile money wallet and GT Bank account between May 22 and July 18, 2024.

In total, he paid GH¢221,750.00 for the supposed project.

Betting Instead of Investing

After receiving the funds, Boakye allegedly failed to honour her promise and ignored repeated requests for payment.

Investigators found that she had diverted the money into her Betway betting account, where she allegedly used it to stake bets rather than investing in any flight ticket procurement business.

During interrogation, Boakye admitted receiving the funds and claimed she had refunded GH¢20,000 through Attipoe. The complainant, however, maintained that most of the money remains unpaid.

Boakye was subsequently charged and arraigned.

The case has been adjourned to January 6, 2026, for continuation.

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