Duffuor Case: Manhyia South MP questions why State settled for only 60% recovery
Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has raised concerns over the state's decision to settle for only 60% recovery in the financial case involving former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor. He demands full accountability in high-profile financial recoveries.

Accra, Ghana – July 23, 2025
The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has expressed dissatisfaction with the government's decision to accept a 60% financial recovery deal in the ongoing case involving former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.
Speaking in Parliament during a debate on the state’s commitment to asset recovery and financial accountability, Dr. Opoku Prempeh—popularly known as NAPO—questioned why the state would settle for less than a full refund in a case he described as significant for public trust.
“What message are we sending to the Ghanaian people if we say we’ll only recover 60% of stolen or mismanaged funds? Is this justice? Or convenience?” NAPO asked.
⚖️ Background to the Case
The issue stems from a long-standing legal and financial battle between the government and Dr. Duffuor, founder of the now-defunct uniBank Ghana Limited. The state accused the former finance minister and other executives of engaging in financial malpractices that led to the collapse of the bank during Ghana’s 2018 banking sector cleanup.
While the case had been heading to full trial, government sources recently disclosed that a settlement agreement had been reached with Dr. Duffuor, involving the repayment of 60% of the contested funds over a negotiated timeline.
The Attorney General’s office defended the move as “strategic and pragmatic,” noting that the deal ensures some recovery while avoiding drawn-out litigation with uncertain outcomes.
???? NAPO's Objection
But Dr. Opoku Prempeh isn’t convinced. The Manhyia South MP contends that such partial settlements risk setting a dangerous precedent, where powerful individuals escape full accountability.
“We are sending a message to every white-collar offender: loot big, return part, and go free. That cannot be the new normal,” he argued on the floor of Parliament.
He further demanded that the Attorney General appear before the House to explain the legal basis and implications of the settlement, including whether the government made efforts to trace and recover offshore assets or other hidden funds.
???? Mixed Reactions
Public reactions to the settlement have been divided. While some civil society groups commend the state for recouping funds without a prolonged court process, others share the MP’s concerns about partial justice.
IMANI Africa and OccupyGhana have both called for the publication of full details of the settlement agreement to ensure transparency.
“This is public money. If 60% is all we can get, we want to know why—and what due diligence was done,” said Franklin Cudjoe, president of IMANI Ghana.
????️ Attorney General Responds
In a brief response to media inquiries, Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame stated that the decision was based on a careful analysis of the case's legal complexities and the likelihood of recovery.
“It’s better to recover something than risk recovering nothing after 10 years of litigation,” he said.
He also promised to engage Parliament on the matter at the appropriate time.
???? Conclusion
As debate continues to swirl around the Duffuor case settlement, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s remarks have reignited national conversations on justice, recovery, and accountability. His demand for full disclosure of the deal’s terms may push the government to provide more clarity and assurance to the public.
Whether the 60% recovery is viewed as a victory of pragmatism or a failure of principle may depend on the transparency that follows.
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