CLOGSAG Leadership Under Fire: Executive Secretary and Acting President Accused of GHS 500,000 Fraud

The leadership of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), has come under intense scrutiny as two senior members of the association accuse the Executive Secretary, Mr. Isaac Bampoe Addo, and Acting President, Mr. Benjamin Otto, of fraudulent activities. A petition filed with the National Executive Council (NEC) alleges the illegal withdrawal of GHS 500,000 from CLOGSAG’s main account without authorization.

The petition, signed by Mr. Ernest Tagoe, Acting National Treasurer, and Mr. Emmanuel Acquah, Acting 1st National Trustee, demands an immediate investigation into the alleged misconduct, which they claim violates the association’s constitution and fiduciary principles.

Allegations of Unauthorized Withdrawal

At the center of the controversy is a withdrawal of GHS 500,000 made on April 29, 2024, using cheque number CIHQ 001517. The petitioners contend that the withdrawal was made without their approval, even though they are mandatory signatories to the account under Article 21.4(c) of the association’s constitution. This article requires all four designated signatories—the President, National Treasurer, 1st National Trustee, and Executive Secretary—to authorize transactions.

The petition further alleges that Mr. Bampoe Addo and Mr. Otto forged a resolution letter to Access Bank, Castle Road Branch, to change the mandate on the account from four mandatory signatories to any two signatories. The letter purportedly claimed that the NEC had approved the change during a meeting on March 5, 2024.

Petitioners’ Position

The petitioners strongly dispute the legitimacy of the resolution letter, stating that no such NEC meeting occurred. They emphasize that altering the account’s mandate would require a constitutional amendment, a process that was never undertaken.

“The actions of the Executive Secretary and the Acting President constitute a clear breach of trust and fiduciary responsibility. Such conduct undermines the integrity of our association and must be addressed with urgency,” the petitioners stated.

Grounds for the Petition

The petition outlines several accusations, including:

1. Theft: Dishonest appropriation of GHS 500,000 from the association’s funds.

2. Collusion: Acting in concert to execute the unauthorized withdrawal.

3. Forgery: Altering official documents to mislead the bank and facilitate the fraud.

4. Gross Misconduct: Engaging in actions that bring CLOGSAG into disrepute.

 

Call for Disciplinary Action

The petitioners have called on the NEC to act decisively, invoking its authority to discipline members who violate the association’s rules. They submitted several supporting documents, including a copy of the alleged forged resolution and official complaints filed with Access Bank.

Impact on CLOGSAG’s Image

The scandal has sparked widespread concern among members of CLOGSAG, many of whom have expressed fears about the potential mismanagement of their dues and contributions. Stakeholders are calling for transparency and accountability in the association’s financial operations.

CLOGSAG Leadership Silent

Attempts to reach Mr. Isaac Bampoe Addo and Mr. Benjamin Otto for comments have been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, members and the public are closely monitoring the NEC’s response to the allegations.

Next Steps

The NEC is expected to convene a meeting to address the petition and determine the appropriate course of action. This case has reignited conversations about ethical leadership and governance within professional organizations in Ghana.

As developments unfold, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust internal controls and accountability mechanisms to protect the interests of association members.