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The Spy Who Saved a Nation: Michael Soussoudis’ Daring Feat

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In 1985, Michael Soussoudis, a Ghanaian spy and cousin of President Jerry John Rawlings, pulled off a daring espionage operation that prevented a potential coup against the Ghanaian government. Soussoudis, using a romantic relationship as a “honey trap,” successfully turned CIA agent Sharon Scranage into a double agent.

Scranage, a CIA clerk stationed at the U.S. embassy in Accra, provided Soussoudis with classified information, including the identities of Ghanaians working for the CIA and details of a planned coup supported by dissidents. Soussoudis shared this intelligence with Ghana’s intelligence chief, Kojo Tsikata, who was also his cousin.

The information helped thwart the coup and led to the arrest of eight high-ranking Ghanaians who were spying for the CIA. The plot for the coup had already advanced, with a boat carrying six tons of heavy weapons en route to Ghana. However, the operation failed when the ship’s crew rebelled, leading to the return of the arms and mercenaries to Brazil.

Soussoudis’ espionage activities came to light after Scranage returned to the U.S. and failed a routine polygraph test. He was arrested by the FBI, charged with eight counts of espionage, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. In a deal between the U.S. and Ghana, Soussoudis was later exchanged for the Ghanaians arrested as CIA spies.

Upon his return to Ghana on December 3, 1985, Soussoudis was welcomed by thousands of cheering supporters. His bravery and cunning had saved the nation from a potentially disastrous coup, cementing his place in Ghana’s history as a hero and a master spy.

Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO

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