Richard Jakpa And Armed National Security Operatives Raid Former Bank of Ghana Governor’s Residence

Armed men numbering about 20, led by Richard Jakpa, Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, raided the private residence of the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, in the early hours of Wednesday, March 19.

The raid, which took place at Dr. Addison’s Roman Ridge residence in Accra, saw heavily armed security operatives, some wearing balaclavas and wielding AK-47 rifles, storm the property to conduct a search. Reports indicate that Dr. Addison was home at the time of the incident.

Upon arrival, the security team immediately disabled the property’s CCTV system before demanding that Dr. Addison lead them to “vaults” allegedly hidden in his home. The former central bank governor reportedly informed them that he had no such vaults or large cash deposits on the premises.

Despite his response, the security operatives proceeded with an extensive search, allegedly ransacking the house in the process. However, sources indicate that no vaults or significant sums of money were discovered. After the unsuccessful search, the operatives confiscated the CCTV monitor and control unit before leaving.

A close associate of the Addison family disclosed that Dr. Addison, his wife, and their entire household were left traumatized by the ordeal.

The raid has sparked alarm among former government officials and security analysts, with some describing it as an unprecedented action against a former central bank governor.

“This is the first time in the history of Ghana that such a thing is happening to a Governor of the Bank of Ghana. This is both scary and messy,” a retired senior official of the Bank of Ghana commented.

This incident marks at least the second time Richard Jakpa has led a raid on the home of a high-profile former official of the erstwhile Akufo-Addo administration since President John Mahama was sworn into office on January 7, 2025.

On February 10, 2025, a similar raid was conducted on the residence of Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s longest-serving finance minister. Over 15 armed men stormed his Labone home in Accra, an incident that was captured on CCTV and later released to the public.

The latest raid on Dr. Addison’s home has raised serious concerns about the use of state security in post-administration transitions and the potential targeting of former government officials. Analysts warn that such actions could erode investor confidence and create an atmosphere of fear among past and present public servants.