Key points
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EOCO probes Kofi Akpaloo over cocoa road contract.
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Allegations include forgery and money laundering.
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Party insiders say GH¢1.3 million went missing.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has intensified investigations into Kofi Akpaloo, leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), over a controversial cocoa road contract.
Akpaloo, a 2024 presidential candidate, was arrested and briefly detained last week. After his release, he downplayed the matter, describing it as routine questioning.
But party officials now confirm that the case involves serious allegations of corruption, forgery, and money laundering.
Contract at the center of dispute
According to LPG General Secretary Jerry Owusu Appauh, Akpaloo secured a COCOBOD road contract using documents belonging to a close associate.
In return, the associate allegedly demanded half of the contract funds, despite not contributing to the work.
“The problem started when Mr. Akpaloo used his friend’s documents to secure the contract,” Appauh told Onua FM.
“Each time government released payment, his friend would take part of the money. This left little for the actual project.”
Appauh claimed the government paid Akpaloo about GH¢3.1 million. Out of that amount, his associate allegedly pocketed GH¢1.3 million without doing any work. The arrangement reportedly led to bitter disputes between the two men.
Allegations of forgery and money laundering
EOCO became involved after discovering that Akpaloo had used his friend’s documents to win the contract. Investigators suspect this amounts to forgery.
They also accuse the LPG founder of money laundering. Instead of depositing contract funds into the official account he presented during the tender process, Akpaloo allegedly redirected payments into his associate’s account.
“The use of another person’s documents and the transfer of funds into the wrong account raised red flags,” Appauh explained.
Legal action and ongoing probe
Akpaloo has reportedly taken his associate to court in an attempt to recover some of the lost money. But the matter has now escalated into a criminal investigation.
Deputy Attorney General officials say the state is examining whether Akpaloo’s actions caused financial loss to the government. If found guilty, he could face prosecution under Ghana’s anti-corruption and financial crime laws.
Meanwhile, EOCO has not yet issued an official statement on the progress of the case.
Political fallout for LPG
The investigation has put pressure on the Liberal Party of Ghana, which Akpaloo founded and led during the 2024 presidential race. Analysts say the scandal could damage the party’s reputation ahead of future elections.
For now, Akpaloo insists he has done nothing wrong. But with EOCO digging deeper, the cocoa road deal may prove to be more damaging than he first admitted.
