An individual familiar with the procurement of Ghana’s cyber defence system has come forward to defend Mr. Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), amidst allegations of misappropriating GH¢49.1 million intended for cybersecurity infrastructure.
The source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, insists that the software and equipment were fully delivered and are currently in use by the Bureau.
“The Israeli company, ISC Holdings, has officially confirmed the complete delivery of the cyber defence tools, and the National Signals Bureau has acknowledged their receipt and ongoing utilisation,” the source stated.
This assertion challenges claims made by lead investigator Frank Marshall Cromwell, who alleged that only a fraction of the funds reached ISC Holdings, with the remainder diverted to accounts controlled by Mr. Adu-Boahene and his associates.
The insider further contends that neither the National Security apparatus nor the Auditor-General has raised concerns regarding the misuse of special operational funds by Mr. Adu-Boahene.
“At no point has National Security or the Intelligence agencies or the Auditor-General complained about any misuse, misapplication or misappropriation of special operational funds on the part of Mr. Kwabena Adu-Boahene in the course of his work,” the source emphasised.
Criticising the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for allegedly overstepping its bounds, the source remarked, “It is preposterous for Frank Marshall Cromwell, the EOCO investigator, or any other actor in EOCO to make assumptions on what they thought the National Security establishment of the day (in 2020) was trying to achieve with special operations funds.”
“That is called second-guessing the activities of an intelligence agency, without the necessary inside information.”