Kumasi High Court acquits Juaben MCE nominee Sarfo-Kantanka in corruption case

The Kumasi High Court has cleared Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka of all corruption charges. He was the nominee for Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

This verdict comes nearly three years after a viral video caused public outrage. The video led to a high-profile trial against Sarfo-Kantanka.

He faced 26 counts of corruption. These charges were related to allegations that he paid assembly members to influence their votes during his confirmation process.

The viral video showed him asking assembly members to return money after his rejection. This clip raised serious questions about electoral integrity and spread quickly on social media.

However, Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori ruled that the video lacked sufficient evidence. It did not prove that the payments aimed to sway assembly members' decisions.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) confirmed his acquittal on May 26, 2025. They stated, “The video footage does not establish that the monies were meant to influence votes.”

Sarfo-Kantanka had been on trial since May 2022. The OSP formally charged him after public elections in September and November 2021.

The charges alleged corrupt practices in securing his appointment as MCE for Juaben in the Ashanti Region.

This court ruling ends a contentious chapter in political appointments. It highlights the challenges of proving corruption in vote-buying cases.