Former Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, has recounted the circumstances surrounding his exit from government under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, describing his removal as unexpected and deeply shocking.
According to him, former president Akufo-Addo failed to provide any reason or I formation for his departure from the ministry.
Speaking on Joy News in an interview monitored by NewsDesksGH on January 9, Mr. Atta Akyea said his ministry uncovered financial irregularities in the Saglemi Housing Project shortly after the party assumed office in 2017.
The Saglemi Housing Project was a $200 million initiative launched in 2012 to build 5,000 homes
“We pulled the bank account from the Bank of Ghana and we realized that this was a state of affairs and we needed to do a proper evaluation.”
He said the evaluation revealed what he described as massive financial losses, with little value to show for the amount spent on the project.
“It was very serious. Over 100 million dollars had been blown and we don’t have the full benefit of the project.”
Atta Akyea said the findings were brought to the attention of President Akufo-Addo, who directed that the matter be referred to the Criminal Investigations Department.
He explained that following the referral to the CID, the next step was to find a private developer who could complete the stalled housing structures.
“That was the struggle we were going through until I left the ministry or I was pushed out of the ministry,” he said.
Reflecting on his removal from office, the former minister said he did not see it coming and expected that the then President would have spoken to him directly.
“I didn’t see it coming at all. I thought that if there is a necessity to push me out of the government, the president should have what I call the powers of mercy and call me.”
He noted that his relationship with President Akufo-Addo went beyond politics, having previously worked together at the law firm Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co.
“He knows me personally so it was like a big shock but at the end of the day he was the President.”
Atta Akyea said the only explanation he later heard regarding his removal was both embarrassing and lacking in rational basis.
“What I heard which was embarrassing was that somebody didn’t want me to be there, that’s all. It was pathetic. It was somebody who didn’t have rational reasons.”
Despite the experience, he said he harbours no bitterness and views his exit as part of a higher plan.
“It’s water under the bridge. And let me tell you also, probably I’ll be running away from this country or I’ll be somebody who is trying to run away from Justice if I had remained, so maybe God is good,”
“As they said in the Bible, you meant it for evil but God meant it for good. For all I know, if I had made the full journey of 8 years with Akufo-Addo I don’t know where I’ll be.”
Samuel Atta Akyea served as Minister for Works and Housing from 2017 to 2021. He was not reappointed when President Akufo-Addo formed his second-term government and was succeeded by Francis Asenso-Boakye.
He chose not to seek re-election in 2024 and officially completed his 16-year tenure as Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South on January 6, 2025.
