President John Dramani Mahama has questioned former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s decision to remain outside Ghana, arguing that anyone who believes they have done nothing wrong should be willing to return home and face legal proceedings.
Speaking during the Citizens’ Engagement at Ho Technical University as part of his Resetting Ghana Tour of the Volta Region, President Mahama said efforts to bring Mr Ofori-Atta back to Ghana must follow established international legal procedures, including extradition processes in the United States, where the former minister is reportedly residing.
Extradition Process Underway
The President explained that Ghana must first rely on its extradition treaty with the United States before requesting Mr Ofori-Atta’s return.
“If you want to bring him back, first you must have an extradition treaty with that country. Secondly, you must trigger a request and application for extradition,” he said.
President Mahama noted that under the extradition process, Mr Ofori-Atta has the legal right to challenge any request before an American court, where a judge will determine whether he should be extradited to Ghana.
“He has a right to take a lawyer, go before a judge, and if he doesn’t want to come, argue against coming. Eventually, it will go before an American judge who will decide whether the gentleman should be put on a plane and brought back,” he explained.
He disclosed that the Attorney General’s Department has already initiated the extradition process and submitted the necessary application, although additional documentation has been requested.
Call to Return
President Mahama also reflected on Mr Ofori-Atta’s tenure as Finance Minister, describing him as one of the most influential figures in the previous administration.
He recalled the period when more than 80 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament petitioned former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove Mr Ofori-Atta from office.
Referring to comments the former minister reportedly made at the time, President Mahama said, “You said you were like the father of children and that you couldn’t run away and leave your children. So, if we Ghanaians are your children, we’re calling you. We’re begging you, father, come back.”
The President maintained that anyone confident of their innocence should have no reason to avoid returning to Ghana.
“If you’re a man of principle, and you believe you’ve done nothing wrong, I don’t see why you should flee your own country,” he stated.
Assurance of Fair Trial
President Mahama assured that Mr Ofori-Atta would receive a fair trial if he returns to Ghana, stressing that the country’s judicial system guarantees due process and the right to legal representation.
“We believe in the judicial system of our country. He will have the best of lawyers to defend him,” he said.
He added that refusing to return could leave unanswered questions about the former minister’s conduct.
“But if he doesn’t come back, then it means he leaves a cloud of doubt over his head forever, and over his children and grandchildren. So, we’ll see how things play out,” President Mahama stated.
