Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has clarified his role in pressuring businessman Ibrahim Mahama to settle customs duties amounting to about 14 million cedis in 2017.
Agyapong had made a statement earlier that year on live TV, claiming that he would “commit suicide if Mahama is not jailed.” He alleged that Mahama’s company had evaded duties during the importation of their machinery.
Asked about his suicide threat and Ibrahim Mahama’s freedom, Agyapong maintained that Ibrahim is corrupt. He revealed that he confronted Ibrahim about his alleged duty evasion, which led to Ibrahim paying 14 million Ghana cedis in duties.
During his interview on Citi TV on August 15, 2023, Agyapong also claimed that when he was preparing to expose Ibrahim Mahama, influential chiefs and politicians were pleading on his behalf, allowing him to avoid further consequences.
Agyapong stressed that although politicians should be held accountable for failing to combat corruption, the judiciary should also share the blame due to their slow progress in prosecuting cases.
An earlier report by the Daily Graphic in April 2017 provided insight into the situation. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) had given Ibrahim Mahama a two-week ultimatum to pay almost GH¢13 million in import duties and interest on equipment he had imported. Despite an agreement with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ibrahim Mahama allegedly failed to fulfill his payment obligations for over a year, instead issuing dud cheques. He was questioned by EOCO and later granted bail. Ibrahim Mahama is the brother of former President John Dramani Mahama.