Meet Richard Jakpa, the dishonourably discharged soldier who has become the face of National Security

Before the lead-up to the 2024 Election and his acquittal in the infamous ambulance trial case by the former New Patriotic Party-led government involving Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the current Minister of Finance, Jakpa was relatively unknown in larger political circles.

While he was recognised by members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), his name was still not widely known by the general public.

This changed with the resurfacing of the ambulance trial, which had been ongoing for some time. In July 2024, the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged both Ato Forson and Jakpa of wrongdoing in the purchase of some ambulances under the first tenure of President John Dramani Mahama.

Following this, Jakpa quickly became a known figure in political and national discussions during the electioneering period.

He publicly declared his support for the NDC and was subsequently appointed by the party as an agent supervisor for the 2024 Election ballot printing.

But who is Richard Jakpa, the operative who has emerged as a figure leading raids against former government officials, sparking widespread conversations and controversies?

Profile

Richard Jakpa is a businessman, founder, and executive chairman of Las Adventuras Ltd, a civil engineering and building contracting company.

The company began as a general civil works contractor in 2009 and has since expanded its scope to become a main contractor, handling projects of various scales, including industrial and commercial developments.

Military record

Jakpa was dishonorably discharged from the Ghana Armed Forces due to unsatisfactory conduct and acts of indiscipline.

He was commissioned as a Lieutenant on August 21, 1998, as part of Regular Career Course Intake 38 and was initially posted to the Army Reece Regiment.

Between 2000 and 2007, Jakpa made eight unsuccessful attempts to pass the Level A PROMEX, a written promotional exam for military officers seeking advancement.

Officers primarily take this exam with the rank of Flying Officer or Flight Lieutenant, who are eligible for promotion to higher ranks.

In addition to his failure in promotional exams, Jakpa’s disciplinary record further contributed to his discharge.

Notably, in 2004, he went AWOL (Absent Without Leave), for which he was tried and charged. He was severely reprimanded, with the forfeiture of 14 days’ pay.

Jakpa, among other misconducts, was sacked for unsatisfactory conduct and inefficiency in the discharge of his duties under Article 15 item 2 (a) of the GAF regulations, where inefficiency under the said regulation meant continuous lack of application and interest, as stated in the rules.

In summary, Jakpa was released from the service in 2007.

Government appointment

Jakpa was appointed as the Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, with his appointment taking effect on January 31, 2025.

In this role, Jakpa oversees the planning and execution of covert and overt operations.

His duties also include developing early warning systems for emerging threats such as terrorism, insurgency, and organised crime.

Additionally, he ensures the readiness of special forces and rapid response units, leads crisis response efforts during national security emergencies, and handles other strategic assignments from the National Security Coordinator or Chief Director.

Raids

Since assuming office, Richard Jakpa has led raids on two high-ranking former government officials: Ken Ofori-Atta, the former Minister of Finance, and Dr. Ernest Addison, the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana.

These raids have sparked widespread discussions about the legalities and the “Rambo-style” approaches often employed during these operations.

He also led a raid that resulted in a bust, seizing a large, unspecified amount of US dollars and Ghanaian cedis, including counterfeit currencies, as well as gold bars hidden in twelve 20-ft shipping containers.

The containers, which were tracked to a warehouse at Sapeiman within the Ga South Municipality, were discovered as part of a special operation conducted by National Security, following a tip-off.