The Leader of the New Force political movement, Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar or Freedom Jacob Caesar, is entangled in a web of tax evasion controversies.
Leaked documents obtained from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have exposed Cheddar’s substantial penalties for neglecting income tax filings, revealing an estimated evasion exceeding GH₵7 million.
Some analysts believe the revelation raises serious concerns about his commitment to financial transparency, particularly as he aspires to play a leadership role in the nation.
The GRA documents reveal a consistent pattern of tax evasion in Cheddar’s financial history, pointing out that penalties ranging from GH₵15,222 to GH₵6,526 were incurred between 2013 and 2016 due to a failure to file personal income tax returns.
The available information indicates that although compliance was seemingly achieved for 2018, 2019, and 2020, the disconcerting trend of non-compliance resurfaced in 2021 and 2022. The leaked documents estimates the tax evasion at a staggering GH₵2,088,228 for 2021 and GH₵5,096,536 for 2022.
Questionable promises
Due to this, some Ghanaian voters say Cheddar’s presidential aspiration, built on promises of ushering in a new era of development and change, should be properly scrutinised.
They are of the opinion that the consistent failure to fulfill a fundamental civic duty, such as paying taxes, casts a shadow over his credibility.
“How can a leader advocate positive change when there are allegations of disregard for basic financial responsibilities expected of every citizen?,” one person questioned.
They further argued that for Cheddar to maintain trust and credibility, he must address these allegations of tax evasion with transparency and accountability.
They insisted that without such transparency, they won’t reconcile his proclaimed commitment to change with perceived financial hypocrisy.
They believe that leaders are expected to embody the values they advocate for, and the failure to adhere to basic tax obligations undermines the essence of responsible governance.
About Cheddar
Cheddar is the founder and chairman of Kwarleyz Group, focused on real estate and property management in Ghana.
He runs at least four entities under the Kwarleyz Group – Petronia (Petronia City in the Western Region), Wonda World (a developer), New Africa Construction (contractor), BELFAST (city management and property management) and New Africa Foundation (a civil society organisation).
He wants to be President of Ghana and, according to him, he wants to create thousands of entrepreneurs, and “liberate Africa” and make Ghana a middle-income country.
He has formed a movement called the New Force, and currently has about 150 billboards across the country, advertising his political ambition.
Currently, the New Force, per his explanation, is not a political movement or a political party. He has said he is not a politician, but “a voice from above” told him to run for President.
Why three names?
He is known to the public as Nana Kwame Bediako or Cheddar or Freedom Jacob Caesar, and this is his explanation for the three names: they represent three different people.
Freedom Jacob Caesar, according to him, is “very enigmatic” and that it is a character he created and re-christened himself to be that person.
He says it is “royal, it is empowerment” and a character that has a particular style of presenting itself but also as a leader of a movement “introducing Africa to the world.”
