AMSTERDAM (FN), Ghanaian lawmaker Kwame Ohene Frimpong was detained Tuesday at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam as part of an international investigation reportedly coordinated by the FBI, Ghana’s Parliament confirmed.
Frimpong, who represents the Asante Akyem North constituency, was taken into custody by Dutch authorities shortly after arriving in the Netherlands. Parliament said in a statement signed by Clerk Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror that it was working with Ghana’s diplomatic mission in The Hague to establish the circumstances of the detention, including whether formal charges have been filed.
Media reports in Ghana have linked the case to suspected financial crimes, including money laundering and romance scams valued at up to $32 million. Neither Dutch nor U.S. officials have confirmed the allegations.
Frimpong, elected as an independent in 2024 after defeating incumbent Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi of the New Patriotic Party, aligned himself with the Majority Caucus in Parliament. He won the seat with 26,926 votes, a victory that surprised many observers.
The lawmaker has previously faced scrutiny over alleged ties to businesses in Chicago, including an African restaurant and supermarket, which reports claimed were monitored by U.S. authorities. Frimpong has consistently denied any wrongdoing, describing the claims as politically motivated attempts to tarnish his image.
The detention has sparked widespread debate in Ghana, where citizens are demanding transparency from both Dutch authorities and Ghanaian officials. Parliament said updates would be provided as more details become available.
