The Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD) Secretariat has denied claims by its former Executive Secretary Dennis 'Miracles' Aboagye that he was warned to stop criticising the government.

In a statement dated July 27, 2026, the secretariat rejected Aboagye's account that its current Executive Secretary, Dr Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafia, had told him to stop commenting on government matters, or claimed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government was pressuring the secretariat to "find something" on him.

The secretariat said "no such directive or instruction was issued" and that "at no point was such alleged disclosure made."

The secretariat instead said that Aboagye, through one of his lawyers and a mutual friend, had invited Dr Hoedoafiato a meeting at the lawyer's office on July 18, 2025, where he asked for parts of a forensic audit to be dropped, including findings relating to two bank accounts, one of which recorded transactions of over GHS102 million. The Dr Hoedoafiato declined the request, according to the statement.

The dispute follows Aboagye's release on GHS50 million bail by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with three sureties, two of whom are to be justified. Aboagye had been arrested in connection with a GHS55 million corruption case.

Writing on Facebook after his release, he said the matter was never raised with him during his time in EOCO custody. He emphasised this claim on Asempa FM on a later day and made the allegation about his IMCCoD successor demanding that he stays silent on criticising the NDC and President John Mahama. 

The audit that forms the basis of the Secretariat's response has been referred to EOCO, which is conducting a separate investigation.

Read the entire statement below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 27, 2026

IMCC SECRETARIAT RESPONDS TO PUBLIC COMMENTS BY FORMER EXECUTIVE SECRETARY MR. DENNIS EDWARD ABOAGYE

The Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) on Decentralisation Secretariat has noted significant inaccuracies and unsubstantiated statements made by Mr. Dennis Edward Aboagye, a Marketer and former Executive Secretary of the IMCC Secretariat, during his appearance on Ekosiisen on Asempa 94.7 FM on 21 July 2026.

The IMCC Secretariat is a public service institution established under Section 207(3) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), and is governed by all laws applicable to the Public Services in Ghana, including the Public Financial Management Act and the Public Procurement Act. Consistent with these obligations, a forensic audit was conducted in 2025.

The Audit Report found Mr. Aboagye and the Accountant personally and jointly culpable for identified irregularities, including authorising or facilitating non-compliant transactions.

Mr. Aboagye was given the opportunity to respond to the findings, which he did. Following that, the Audit findings have been submitted to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), for necessary action.

The Secretariat is not privy to the full scope or findings of EOCO’s investigation but has been informed that the Audit Report forms part of a wider inquiry and will continue to provide requested documents and information in accordance with due process.

The Secretariat categorically refutes Mr. Aboagye’s claim that the Executive Secretary instructed him to stop commenting on government matters, or stated that the NDC Government was pressuring him to “find something” on Mr. Aboagye.

For clarity, no such directive or instruction was issued. At no point was such alleged disclosure made. On the contrary, the Secretariat states that Mr. Aboagye, through one of his lawyers and a mutual friend, invited the Executive Secretary to a meeting at the lawyer’s office on 18 July 2025.

During the meeting, Mr. Aboagye asked that aspects of the Audit findings be dropped, including findings on two bank accounts. One of those accounts recorded transactions totalling GHS 102,256,802.69 and was not disclosed in the handing-over notes.

The request also covered matters relating to PNY Investment Limited, BMABA Enterprise, and GAPTE.

The Executive Secretary declined the requests.

The Secretariat rejects Mr. Aboagye’s claim that the current Executive Secretary is targeting him through the audit because of a prior termination of appointment.

This is tangential and the least said about this claim the better. Page 1 of 2 The Secretariat states categorically that no audit or review of its operations is intended to victimise any former official.

Administrative, financial, and operational reviews are standard governance practices; therefore, allegations of persecution are false, unfounded, and misleading.

The Secretariat further clarifies that, following the enactment of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), steps were taken to mainstream its staff into the Office of the President and the Civil Service to ensure institutional continuity and strengthen Ghana’s decentralisation reforms.

By the close of 2025, the Secretariat had been fully integrated into the Office of the President, from which it now draws its budgetary allocations and to which its reporting lines are formally established.

The IMCC Secretariat remains committed to professionalism, accountability, transparency, and the faithful execution of its statutory mandate. It will continue to act in the national interest and will not be distracted by unfounded allegations intended to undermine the integrity of the institution or its leadership.

The IMCC Secretariat therefore appeals to Mr. Aboagye and the relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that official documents, including past handing-over notes referenced during his media engagement but not currently held by the Secretariat, are returned without further delay.

END

Signed: Nasrullah Ibn Mutawakil Communications Officer