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Draft:Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko

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Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is a Ghanaian lawyer and politician associated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP). whose perceived influence over key political decisions in the Government of his cousin,[1] the Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo , has drawn both support and criticism.[2][3]

Early Life and Education

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Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko was born in Chelsea, London, into the politically active Ofori-Atta family. His grandfather,[4] J.B. Danquah,[5] was a founding member of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) and one of Ghana's leading independence advocates.[6][7]

Otchere-Darko studied law at the University of Ghana and later pursued further legal training at the Inns of Court School of Law in the United Kingdom. He was called to the Ghana Bar and the English Bar.[8]

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Gabby Otchere-Darko co-founded Africa Legal Associates, a corporate law firm based in Accra, Ghana, where he serves as a senior partner[9] In addition to his legal career, Otchere-Darko is a founding member of the Danquah Institute, a policy think tank for the New Patriotic Party of Ghana.[2][10][11]

Critics and some media outlets have alleged that Otchere-Darko exerts significant influence over government decisions, despite holding no official position. They point to his involvement in the Agyapa Royalties Deal, Sale of the Electricity Company of Ghana[12] as evidence of his behind-the-scenes power. This perceived influence has led some commentators to label him as Ghana's 'De Facto Prime Minister,' suggesting he wields power comparable to that of the official head of government. Otchere-Darko has denied these allegations, maintaining that his involvement in political discussions is limited to offering advice and support.[3][13][14]

Controversies

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Agyapa Royalties Deal

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One of the most significant controversies involving Otchere-Darko was his involvement in the Agyapa Royalties deal, a government initiative to monetize future gold revenues by listing shares of Agyapa Royalties on the London Stock Exchange. Civil society organizations, as well as opposition parties, raised concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest.[15] Allegations were made that his firm, Africa Legal Associates, had profited significantly from the transaction.[2][3][16][17]

Otchere-Darko defended his involvement, arguing that the deal was designed to raise capital for Ghana's development and that all legal work done by his firm was in compliance with the law. Despite his defense, the controversy has continued to dominate public debate.[3]

Galamsey (Illegal Mining) Allegations

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In 2023, Otchere-Darko was named in a report by former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng. The report accused Otchere-Darko of using his influence to defend a company allegedly involved in illegal mining (known as "galamsey")[18].[19] Otchere-Darko denied the allegations, stating that his role was limited to legal representation for a client with legitimate permits.[20][21][22]

Media Ownership

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In addition to his legal and political career, Otchere-Darko has significant media holdings in Ghana. He is the majority shareholder and Editor-in-Chief of *The Statesman*, a conservative newspaper aligned with the NPP. His influence extends to broadcasting as the Chairman of Asaase Broadcasting Company, which operates Asaase Radio.[23]

Personal Life

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Gabby Otchere-Darko is married to Nana Adjoa Hackman Otchere-Darko, a lawyer and managing partner at Africa Legal Associates. Together, they own shares in GAB Productions Limited, the publisher of *The Statesman*. Nana Adjoa Hackman was appointed to the board of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in 2021.[24]

References

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  1. ^ "False quote attributed to Ghana President's cousin goes viral". Dubawa Ghana.
  2. ^ a b c GhanaWeb - Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko Biography. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Citi Newsroom - I Did No Wrong Serving as Lawyer for Firm Given Permit to Mine. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  4. ^ "Ghana: "The government is quite egalitarian," says Gabby Otchere-Darko - The Africa Report.com".
  5. ^ "'Agyapadie document reveals greed, unpatriotic behavior of J.B. Danquah's descendants' - Benjamin Quashie".
  6. ^ Pulse Ghana - J.B. Danquah's Role in Establishment of UG Exaggerated. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  7. ^ "J.B. Danquah | Gold Coast politician, independence advocate, scholar | Britannica". www.britannica.com.
  8. ^ Asaase Radio - Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  9. ^ Africa Legal Associates - Staff Profiles. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  10. ^ "Danquah Institute". danquahinstitute.com.
  11. ^ "Is IMANI now dictating to us how to run a country? - Gabby Otchere-Darko fumes - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. July 2, 2022.
  12. ^ "Insider vows to reveal more on rotten PDS deal".
  13. ^ "NPP MP criticises Gabby Otchere-Darko again, claims he's swayed by 'Prime Minister' tag".
  14. ^ "Defacto Prime Minister: I'm not even that powerful in my house — Gabby rejects tag".
  15. ^ "Ghana Agyapa royalties deal: ECOWAS Court of Justice delivers a…". Transparency.org. July 11, 2023.
  16. ^ "Ghana's US$12 million blown Agyapa Royalties deal traced to……". February 19, 2024.
  17. ^ "Agyapa Royalties deal: Gabby threatens to sue NDC MP for defamation". August 20, 2020.
  18. ^ "Arrest Gabby Otchere-Darko, Lord Commey, all appointees named in Frimpong-Boateng's galamsey report - Minority demands". June 14, 2023.
  19. ^ chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://chraj.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PROF-FRIMPONG-BOATENG-Report.pdf
  20. ^ Asaase Radio - Galamsey: Frimpong-Boateng's Allegations False. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  21. ^ "Galamsey report: Gabby sues Prof Frimpong-Boateng, demands GHȼ10m in damages".
  22. ^ "Frimpong-Boateng deliberately twisted our interaction in galamsey report - Gabby". April 20, 2023.
  23. ^ Media Ownership Monitor Ghana - The Otchere-Darko Family. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  24. ^ The Statesman - Profile: Nana Adjoa Hackman Otchere-Darko. Retrieved October 24, 2024.