AfCFTA Executive staffer in court for allegedly defrauding man, diverting GH¢221,750 into online betting

A senior staff member at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is facing criminal charges after allegedly funnelling an investment sum into online betting rather than the airline ticketing venture she had promised.

Anthonette Ama Boakye, 32, appeared before an Accra Circuit Court accused of defrauding a Ghanaian businessman under false pretences. Prosecutors allege she channelled GH¢221,750 into her Betway account instead of the travel-related investment she marketed.

Boakye has denied the allegations. She was granted GH¢200,000 bail with three sureties — two must be close relatives and one is required to justify the bond. The case will resume on 6 January 2026.

According to the prosecution’s narrative, the complainant, Alfred Adu, who lives in the United States, was introduced to Boakye last year by police officer Vincent Ariston Attipoe. At the time, the court heard, Boakye was in police custody over a similar complaint.

During conversations, she reportedly described a high-yield flight ticket procurement arrangement linked to USAID, her former employer. The venture, she claimed, required upfront capital to purchase both domestic and international tickets, which she said would produce quick financial returns.

Attipoe then relayed the proposal to Adu, and following a three-way call with Boakye shortly after her release, the businessman agreed to invest.

Court documents show a series of payments made between April and July 2024:

GH¢74,837 was first transferred to Attipoe’s mobile money account, allegedly for onward delivery to Boakye.

Adu then sent GH¢146,913 directly to Boakye’s mobile money wallet and GT Bank account.

In all, GH¢221,750 was released for what Adu believed was a legitimate procurement project.

Prosecutors say no airline ticketing business ever took place. Instead, investigations indicated that Boakye transferred the money into her Betway betting account, where she reportedly staked bets rather than investing in any commercial activity.

When questioned, Boakye admitted receiving the funds but insisted she had refunded GH¢20,000 through Attipoe. The complainant disputes this, telling police that the bulk of the money remains outstanding.

Boakye has since been charged with defrauding by false pretence under Section 131 of the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29).

The matter is scheduled to return to Circuit Court 3 in Accra early next year.