President John Dramani Mahama has stated that he will not interfere in or comment extensively on the ongoing extradition proceedings involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, emphasizing that the matter falls entirely under the jurisdiction of the United States.
Speaking at a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations at Jubilee House in Accra on Monday, March 30, the President noted that it would be inappropriate for him to make pronouncements on a case being handled outside Ghana’s legal authority.
“I cannot comment on the extradition of our former Finance Minister because it is in a different jurisdiction… we just have to be patient for the law to play out in that jurisdiction. It is not within our jurisdiction, but the American judiciary,” Mahama stated.
His comments come amid Ghana’s formal request to the United States seeking the extradition of Ofori-Atta to face multiple corruption-related allegations tied to his tenure in office from 2017 to 2024.
The former minister is currently in the United States, where he was reportedly detained earlier this year by federal immigration authorities over visa-related concerns. He is also said to be pursuing permanent residency while contesting the extradition request.
Legal proceedings in the United States have intensified, with a federal judge requesting documentary evidence to support Ghana’s case—highlighting the legal and procedural complexities involved in cross-border extradition.
The situation underscores the challenges of international legal cooperation, as Ghanaian authorities await the outcome of proceedings within the U.S. judicial system.
