The former Director General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, has confirmed the purchase of another spyware from Israel. Adu-Boahene, who is currently in detention and facing charges alongside his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng and two others, made the disclosure in a memo addressed to his legal counsel Atta Akyea. The document has since been released publicly, including on social media.
The two other accused persons are Mildred Donkor and Advantage Solutions Limited.
Charges Filed at High Court
The four are facing multiple charges, including stealing, defrauding by false pretences, conspiracy to steal, and willfully causing financial loss to the state. The suit was filed at a High Court on April 30, 2025.
In March, Adu-Boahene and his wife were arrested and detained over allegations of diverting state funds.
Memo Reveals Spyware Purchase from Israeli Firm
In the memo, Adu-Boahene warned the Attorney-General that the ongoing case could tarnish the reputation of Ghana’s National Security Agency. He listed expenses under the heading ‘Special Operations Expenditure Summary’, which included a transaction with Israeli company ISC Holdings.
An amount of GH¢9,537,000, paid in 2020, was listed as part payment for Special Cyber & Electronic Surveillance Solutions. The funds were received by ISC Holdings, confirming the purchase of surveillance equipment—effectively, spyware.
AG Describes It as “Cyber Defence Systems”
In court documents, the Attorney-General described the equipment as “cyber defence systems.” However, Adu-Boahene clarified in his memo that the equipment is actually surveillance spyware, raising fresh concerns about privacy and state surveillance practices.
Not Ghana’s First Spyware Scandal
This is not the first time Ghana has found itself entangled in spyware controversies.
Five years ago, three former government officials were charged and jailed over the purchase of the Pegasus spywarefrom Israeli firm NSO Group. The charges included stealing, abuse of office, and willfully causing financial loss to the state.
The Israeli government, after six years of pressure, has reportedly launched investigations into alleged corruption in the sale of Pegasus spyware to Ghana.