Moses Asaga, former Member of Parliament for Nabdam in the Upper East Region, has refuted allegations of impropriety regarding his acquisition of a property in Dubai.
A report by the UK-based think tank, the Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), implicated several former appointees of the Mahama government, including Asaga and Iusah Fuseini, alleging they acquired real estate worth millions of dollars in Dubai during their time in office.
The OCCRP report, titled “How Dirty Money Finds a Home in Dubai Real Estate,” published on May 14, 2024, underscored Dubai’s reputation for financial secrecy and its attraction for funds from dubious origins.
In response to the report, Asaga addressed the allegations in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, dismissing them as political maneuvering. He asserted that he had legitimately purchased a property valued at $133,000 in Dubai. Asaga cited his long career at institutions like Ecobank and GNPC, as well as his past roles as Deputy Minister of Finance and Minister for Employment, in defense of his acquisition.
To counter the allegations of wrongdoing, Asaga pointed out the comparative property prices in Ghana. He highlighted that new apartments in Ghana are sold for over $200,000, while luxury residences in areas like Trasacco range from $1 million to $5 million.
Asaga defended his own property investment in Dubai, valued at $133,000, questioning why such a modest investment should be viewed as criminal or corrupt. He challenged critics, asking whether professionals like bankers, CEOs of GNPC, COCOBOD, BOST, and politicians who reside in expensive homes in Trasacco have faced similar scrutiny from the OCCRP.
Asserting his extensive career spanning roles at Ecobank, GNPC, and various ministerial positions, Asaga argued that his investment in a $133,000 property was reasonable and within his means. He emphasized that his acquisition was lawful and criticized the allegations against him as politically motivated.
