Former Minister for Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir (K.T.) Hammond, has threatened legal action against Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and the Auditor-General over findings in a recent special audit report that allegedly implicate him in wrongful financial transactions under the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.
The audit, presented to Parliament on March 10, 2026, by Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, uncovered alleged irregularities in arrears and payables, including a fictitious GH¢89.4 million debt linked to the 1D1F initiative.
The report highlighted claims submitted by the then Ministry of Trade and Industry for government contributions to interest payments, which were processed to commercial banks but later deemed unsupported or fabricated, with banks denying related obligations.
Speaking in an interview on Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM, K. T. Hammond vehemently denied any wrongdoing and described the allegations as false and baseless.
He insisted that the claims, have severely tarnished his reputation.
“It’s untrue that I have embezzled such money. I should be allowed to understand what is going on and have my side heard before the report is brought out,” he said.
The former minister criticised the audit process, arguing there was a lack of procedural fairness as he was not given the opportunity to respond or provide clarification before the findings were made public and presented in Parliament.
Mr. Hammond demanded an immediate retraction of the allegations and a formal apology from the Finance Minister and the Auditor-General. He warned that failure to comply would lead to court action.
“They should be ready to meet me in court. You don’t make such claims lightly,” he cautioned.
Drawing on his long public service record, Mr. Hammond highlighted his 24 years in Parliament, during which his name has never been linked to financial impropriety. He vowed to vigorously defend his integrity through legal means to clear his name.
The special audit was part of a broader review of GH¢68.7 billion in unpaid invoices and claims submitted in 2024, which identified GH¢8.1 billion in fictitious or inflated claims, among other anomalies.
The government has announced plans for a full forensic audit of the entire 1D1F scheme to ensure greater accountability.
Mr. Hammond served as Trade and Industry Minister under the previous administration, overseeing the implementation of the flagship 1D1F policy aimed at industrialisation and job creation across Ghana’s districts.