The Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, has announced that his office will initiate criminal proceedings against the founder and leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Percival Kofi Akpaloo, over the alleged diversion of more than GH¢3.1 million in public funds linked to a cocoa roads project.
According to Dr Ayine, the funds—amounting to GH¢3,169,432.22—were disbursed by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) but were allegedly paid to a company secretly established by Mr Akpaloo and his wife, instead of the legitimate contractor.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, December 22, 2025, the Attorney-General said investigations had uncovered evidence of stealing, forgery and money laundering. He disclosed that the suspects would be formally charged following the completion of investigations.
Dr Ayine explained that COCOBOD, in December 2020, awarded a GH¢29.5 million cocoa roads contract to Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited, a company owned by Ekua Pomaa.
However, he said Mr Akpaloo later registered a separate entity—Pomaah Universal Ghana Limited—by subtly altering the original company’s name with the addition of the letter “H”.
“Between December 2022 and June 2024, Mr Akpaloo received eight cheques issued by COCOBOD in the name of Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited, totalling GH¢3,169,432.22, and deposited them into the account of Pomaah Universal Ghana Limited at First Bank Ghana Limited,” Dr Ayine stated.
He said the irregular transactions were flagged by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), which subsequently notified the bank and prompted investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
According to the Attorney-General, the rightful contractor, Ekua Pomaa, remained unaware of the diversion until June 2024, when COCOBOD contacted her over unpaid balances on the contract.
“Our investigations show that Ms Pomaa had no knowledge of the existence of Pomaah Universal Ghana Limited or the redirection of the funds until COCOBOD reached out to her,” Dr Ayine said.
He further revealed that Ms Pomaa had alleged that her signature was forged on the COCOBOD contract documents and that her former name, Mercy Owusu, was used without her consent to secure the agreement.
Dr Ayine also disclosed that First Bank Ghana Limited conducted an internal audit and admitted that the cheques were knowingly paid into an account that did not match the named beneficiary. The bank, he said, acknowledged failures in its verification and due diligence processes.
He confirmed that three accused persons would face charges: Percival Kofi Akpaloo, Pomaah Universal Ghana Limited, and Mrs Delvin Akpaloo.
