AfCFTA staff charged for diverting GH¢221k into betting account

Anthonette Ama Boakye, an executive assistant at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), has been brought before Circuit Court 3 in Accra after being accused of diverting more than GH¢221,000 into a sports betting account.

The money had reportedly been provided by a United States-based businessman, Alfred Adu, who believed he was investing in a profitable flight ticket procurement venture.

Prosecutors say the investment pitch began under unusual circumstances. In 2023, while Boakye was in police custody over an unrelated matter, she met Police Officer Vincent Ariston Attipoe, a close friend of Adu.

Investigators claim that during conversations at the station, Boakye introduced Attipoe to what she presented as a high-return ticket deal connected to her former workplace.

Attipoe is said to have shared the idea with Adu, who later spoke with Boakye in a three-way call before agreeing to invest.

Between April and July 2024, Adu reportedly sent GH¢74,837 to Attipoe for Boakye and another GH¢146,913 to her directly, bringing the total investment to GH¢221,750.

According to the prosecution, Adu never received the returns he expected. He only got a partial refund of GH¢20,000, which raised concerns and led him to complain.

Investigators say the funds were traced to a Betway account linked to Boakye, where a large portion had already been used for betting activities.

Boakye has pleaded not guilty and has been granted GH¢200,000 bail with strict conditions.

The case will continue on January 6, 2026.