Retired army captain and former UT Bank boss Kofi Amoabeng has shared a story about how his love for dancing once put him in trouble with Ghana's security agencies. In an interview on Accra-based Kingdom FM, Amoabeng recounted that the incident occurred at the anniversary celebration of Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin of Akyem Abuakwa in 2023. He was invited to the Okyehene's palace to celebrate either the 15th or 20th anniversary of the traditional ruler's reign.
Amoabeng said that after having some champagne, he got up to dance when a live band led by highlife legend Pat Thomas started playing lively tunes. He recalled that he and another person were the only two dancing on the floor. Amoabeng downplayed his dancing ability, saying he just likes to dance, even if his moves are off the beat. His enthusiasm for dancing, however, had serious consequences.
According to Amoabeng, soon after he returned to Accra, he began receiving invitations from several state security bodies, including the Ghana Police Service, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Special Investigation Team, as well as the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID). He was told that the matter had to do with how he had danced at Kyebi, in front of high-ranking officials, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Amoabeng noted that the President, the Vice President, and ministers were all present at the celebration but did not dance. He was not informed of any specific issues with his dancing, but the invitations from the security agencies implied that there was a problem. The incident has raised questions about the reaction of state security agencies to a seemingly lighthearted event.
Kofi Amoabeng is also known for founding UT Bank, one of the institutions that collapsed during Ghana's 2017-2019 banking sector clean-up. The clean-up exercise, carried out by the Bank of Ghana, saw several indigenous banks either merged, taken over, or shut down due to insolvency or undercapitalization. UT Bank was absorbed into GCB Bank as part of the exercise.
EOCO is a state agency responsible for investigating and recovering proceeds of suspected corruption, fraud, and organized crime. The CID, on the other hand, is the branch of the Ghana Police Service responsible for investigating criminal cases. It is unclear whether Amoabeng ever met with any of the agencies he mentioned or what came of the alleged invitations.
The incident has sparked interest in Ghana, but no further timeline or official reaction has been given at the time of this report. The sources do not indicate whether the Okyehene's palace or the former President's office has responded to Amoabeng's account.
Key points
- Kofi Amoabeng's dancing at Okyehene's anniversary celebration got him in trouble with state security agencies in 2023.
- The incident occurred in front of high-ranking officials, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
- Amoabeng is also known for founding UT Bank, which collapsed during Ghana's 2017-2019 banking sector clean-up.
