Talent Manager Bullgod Recounts GH₵1M Menzgold Loss and BNI Arrest Under Akufo-Addo Administration | Discuss Ghana

Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson, popularly known as Bullgod, has detailed the personal and financial grievances behind his long-standing criticism of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Speaking in recent interviews, the talent manager revealed that he lost an investment of GH₵1 million following the government-mandated shutdown of the defunct gold dealership firm, Menzgold Ghana Limited.

Bullgod asserted that the manner in which the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration handled the Menzgold crisis was "unfair," leading to widespread financial ruin for thousands of customers. He further disclosed that his opposition to the previous government was intensified by his 2021 arrest by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), formerly known as the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), after he allegedly made threatening remarks against the sitting president during a live television broadcast.

Bullgod

The Financial Fallout: A GH₵1M Menzgold Loss

Bullgod’s resentment toward the former president is rooted in the 2018 collapse of Menzgold, an investment firm founded by Nana Appiah Mensah (NAM1). The company was shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for operating without a proper license, leaving approximately GH₵1 million of Bullgod’s personal funds locked away.

Responsibility for the Shutdown: Bullgod argued that just as national issues like illegal mining (galamsey) are blamed on the sitting president, the responsibility for the "shabby" shutdown of Menzgold lies with the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo regime.

Impact on Customers: He claimed the government should have allowed the company more time to pay out investors before shutting its doors, noting that the sudden closure caused some victims to lose their marriages, businesses, and lives.

A "Nightmare" Administration: Describing the period as a "nightmare," Bullgod stated that his grudge remains "deep" because he believes the administration failed to protect the hard-earned investments of Ghanaian citizens.

2021 BNI Arrest Over "Threatening" Remarks

Beyond financial losses, Bullgod’s tenure under the previous administration was marked by legal turmoil. In January 2021, he was picked up by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and spent five days in custody following comments made on the entertainment show United Showbiz.

During the broadcast, Bullgod suggested that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would not complete his second term if he failed to ensure the repayment of locked-up Menzgold funds. Although he later retracted the statement, clarifying that he did not intend to threaten the president’s life, he was charged with "offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace". He was eventually granted bail for GH₵70,000 after spending nearly a week in detention.

Context: The Ongoing Menzgold Legal Battle

The Menzgold saga continues to be a point of national contention as the case against Nana Appiah Mensah moves through the judicial system. As of late 2025 and early 2026, NAM1 remains on trial at the Accra High Court, having had his "Submission of No Case" dismissed by the judge.

The Government of Ghana has faced persistent pressure from the Coalition of Aggrieved Customers of Menzgold, who have demanded bailouts and swifter prosecution. While some political figures within the Parliament of Ghana have called for a state-led compensation plan, the official stance has largely remained that the state is not liable for investments made in unregulated private schemes.

Nana Appiah Mensah (NAM 1)

What Happens Next for Bullgod and Menzgold Customers

While Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson remains a vocal critic, the focus for many victims has shifted to the Supreme Court of Justice, where NAM1’s legal team has filed for a stay of proceedings. The outcome of this trial will determine if any assets can be liquidated to compensate investors like Bullgod.

In the interim, the Ministry of the Interior and the National Intelligence Bureau have faced calls to review how high-profile critics are handled, following the backlash from Bullgod’s 2021 detention. The talent manager continues to maintain that his experiences serve as a warning about the intersection of business, politics, and free speech in Ghana.

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Summary of Bullgod’s Grievances with Akufo-Addo

The public recounting of his GH₵1 million Menzgold loss and his subsequent BNI arrest underscores why Bullgod views the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration as a personal and professional "nightmare." By blaming the former president for the collapse of his investments and the "offensive conduct" trial, the artiste manager has cemented his position as one of the most prominent entertainment-sector critics of the previous regime.

Nana Akufo-Addo