CHRAJ opens conflict-of-interest probe into ex-ADB board chair

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has begun processes to investigate Eugene Asante Boadi, the former Board Chairman of Agricultural Development Bank PLC (ADB), over allegations of extortion, conflict of interest and administrative abuse.

In an acknowledgement letter dated 22 December 2025 and addressed to law firm Kulendi@Law, CHRAJ confirmed receipt of a petition from the Abene Traditional Council under reference CHRAJ/HDO/2025/378. The letter, signed by Principal Registrar Daniel Afetsi on behalf of the Commissioner, said the Commission had been directed to look into alleged “conflict of interest, abuse of office and acts of administrative injustice” and would revert to the petitioners in due course.

The petition, filed by kingmakers of the Kwahu Paramount Stool including the Abene Krontihene, Nana Simpe Owiredu III, and the Kwahu Akyeamehene, Nana Asiedu Kwabeng IV, centres on a 2022 credit facility request.

Businessman Collins Darkwah Aboagye, Director of PRABHAT Trading Limited, is said to have approached ADB for a GH¢12 million export credit facility. The petition alleges that Mr Boadi made his approval conditional on two payments: a GH¢50,000 “facilitation fee”, allegedly paid in the presence of witnesses, and a GH¢2 million personal “loan” to be taken from the approved facility.

According to the complaint, Mr Boadi received the GH¢2 million but only repaid US$20,000 through a driver and allegedly issued threats when pressed to honour the balance.

The fallout triggered sanctions in both the financial and traditional spheres. In October 2024, the Bank of Ghana concluded that Mr Boadi’s conduct had caused “irreparable damage” to ADB’s reputation and, relying on Section 103(2)(d) of Act 930, directed that he step down as board chair. He resigned on 11 October 2024.

Around the same period, the Kwahu Traditional Council undertook its own inquiry. The petitioners say Mr Boadi admitted the allegations before the chiefs, prostrated and pleaded for mercy. Despite this, the Abene Council issued a Notice of Destoolment on 24 October 2024, stripping him of his position as Kwahumanhene.

In their complaint to CHRAJ, the kingmakers are asking the Commission to determine whether Mr Boadi’s conduct breached the code of conduct for public officials and whether his alleged solicitation of personal benefits from a bank client amounted to a clear conflict of interest.

They are also seeking a full administrative inquiry into the sums demanded and received, the circumstances under which they were paid, and whether his actions offended principles of integrity, fairness and transparency expected of those in positions of public trust.

For now, CHRAJ’s formal acknowledgment signals the start of an investigation into a case that cuts across corporate governance failures, accountability in public office and the exercise of traditional authority.