How one of the world’s greatest con artists profited from Ghana’s colonial past.
In the annals of global fraud, few stories are as captivating and audacious as that of John Ackah Blay-Miezah, the Ghanaian con artist who rose to infamy in the 20th century. His elaborate schemes, culminating in the creation of the Oman Ghana Trust Fund, took advantage of political turmoil and economic mismanagement, leaving a trail of deceived investors and a legacy that challenges the notion that “there’s one born every minute.”
Blay-Miezah’s journey into the world of deception began against the backdrop of Ghana’s struggle for independence from British rule in 1957. Exploiting the chaos that ensued, he declared himself the custodian of a fictitious Ghanaian trust fund, claiming to safeguard the nation’s assets from alleged Western interests. The story takes a surreal turn as he implicates Ghana’s ousted president, Kwame Nkrumah, in a plot involving hidden gold and a vast fortune stashed away in Swiss banks.
In 1974, while serving time for fraud, Blay-Miezah orchestrated his masterpiece – a meeting with Ghana’s military dictator, General Acheampong. Posing as a confidant of the deposed ex-president, Blay-Miezah spun a tale of Nkrumah’s deathbed secret, convincing Acheampong to not only release him from prison but grant him a diplomatic passport. Thus began the international odyssey of the Oman Ghana Trust Fund, promising exorbitant returns to those willing to invest in the pursuit of the illusory fortune.
Blay-Miezah’s success seemed boundless as he globe-trotted, flaunting wealth, and rubbing shoulders with the elite. Luxury hotels, Rolls-Royces, and personal chefs became the norm for the man who had once been known as “Kerosene Boy” during his impoverished youth. His charisma and ability to mimic the manners of the well-to-do facilitated his ascent, making him a popular figure in Ghana and earning him the title of “Sporting Personality of the Year.”
Yepoka Yeebo, an Anglo-Ghanaian journalist, delves into Blay-Miezah’s early life, revealing the roots of his deceptive prowess. Born John Kolorah Blay in 1941, he transcended poverty through hard work, observing the trappings of wealth from a young age. Before the Oman Ghana Trust, Blay-Miezah honed his skills in smaller scams, posing as a banker or diplomat, even evading arrest through a fake heart attack.
While Blay-Miezah’s story is one of deceit and manipulation, Yeebo shifts the blame towards the British Empire and its “dimwitted” administrators. The mismanagement of Ghana’s finances pre-independence created an environment ripe for exploitation. The country’s wealth in natural resources juxtaposed against its economic struggles allowed Blay-Miezah’s fantastical claims to gain traction.
As the years passed, the Oman Ghana Trust Fund’s promises began to unravel. Investors, once hopeful of massive returns, found themselves in Guernsey, cold and disillusioned. Blay-Miezah’s explanations for the delays grew vaguer, and the once-mystifying financial wizardry appeared to crumble. The endgame was in sight, leading to the exposure of one of the most fascinating and lucrative scams in modern history.
Blay-Miezah and the Oman Ghana Trust Fund in the Eyes of Foreign Policy: In 1981, Peter Rigby, a video studio owner in London, unwittingly became entangled in Blay-Miezah’s web of deceit. Blay-Miezah, with his bare-chested flamboyance and tales of Nkrumah’s hidden wealth, convinced Rigby to provide video equipment for his grandiose plans. This foreignpolicy.com article unveils the intricacies of Blay-Miezah’s scams, revealing his history of deceiving not just Ghanaians but also individuals around the world.
Blay-Miezah spun a tale of Kwame Nkrumah hiding enormous amounts of cash and gold for the benefit of Ghana. The narrative involved secretive Swiss vaults, diplomatic passports, and promises of immense returns for investors in the Oman Ghana Trust Fund. Blay-Miezah’s audacious lies extended to producing fake documents and leveraging his charm to attract investors from diverse backgrounds.
Peter Rigby, the unwitting participant in Blay-Miezah’s schemes, became an accomplice in the con artist’s global exploits. From providing video equipment to running cash and weapons into Ghana, Rigby’s decade-long association with Blay-Miezah exemplifies the unwavering faith some had in the Oman Ghana Trust Fund. Rigby’s belief persists even today, as he holds onto a promissory note given to him by Blay-Miezah.
Blay-Miezah’s death in 1992 did not mark the end of the Oman Ghana Trust Fund saga. Investors like Gregory Frazier continued the quest to claim the alleged fortune, forming the Friends of the Oman Ghana Trust Fund. Despite investigations finding no evidence of the trust fund’s existence, the myth persists, reflecting a deep-seated desire to unravel Ghana’s complex history and economic challenges.
John Ackah Blay-Miezah’s life reads like a gripping novel, filled with twists, turns, and the audacity of a master con artist. From his humble beginnings as “Kerosene Boy” to the heights of international deception, his story sheds light on the vulnerabilities of a post-colonial nation and the individuals who exploit them. In the realm of financial deception, the legacy of Blay-Miezah serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that even the most elaborate scams eventually meet their reckoning. The tale of the Oman Ghana Trust Fund continues to captivate, reflecting a collective yearning for answers to Ghana’s historical struggles and economic disparities.
This article is adapted from Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Looted the West, Outfoxed Washington, and Swindled the World by Yepoka Yeebo