Former Buffer Stock boss and finance director charged in GH¢61m scandal

The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, and the company’s Head of Finance, Richard Sam-Asante, have been charged with stealing and causing financial loss to the state in a GH¢61 million scandal tied to the national school feeding programme.

According to documents filed by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, the two authorised transfers totalling GH¢69.6 million from NAFCO’s accounts to Sawtina Enterprise, a private company linked to a regional manager of the organisation, James Tieku Apawu. Investigations revealed that only about 20 per cent of the funds were used for the intended food supplies, while the rest was diverted for personal gain.

The Attorney General further alleges that Aludiba diverted an additional GH¢10 million through companies owned by himself and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni. Together with two corporate entities, Aludiba Foundation and Energy Partners Limited, the pair face 24 criminal charges, including stealing, money laundering, abuse of office, and the deliberate misuse of public funds.

Investigators also found that between February 2017 and February 2019, Aludiba’s private firm, Aludiba Enterprise, received over GH¢5.4 million from NAFCO without any valid contract. Sam Asante is currently on the run, while the accused are expected to appear before the High Court later this week.