Akufo-Addo: I’m Not Begging Mahama To Protect Ofori-Atta

Former President Nana Akufo-Addo has dismissed reports that he is in talks with President John Mahama to facilitate a “safe passage” for the return of Ken Ofori-Atta, former Minister for Finance, to Ghana.

“Nana Akufo-Addo has neither contemplated such a consideration nor expressly or impliedly made any such request or representation to President John Dramani Mahama, his agents) or assign(s)”, an official statement, issued by the Office of Former President Akufo-Addo noted.

The statement explained that though Nana Akufo-Addo is concerned with the fate of Ken Ofori-Atta, that concern does not warrant him to interfere with the rule of law, a principle he abides by.

“It is true that the fate of Mr. Ofori Atta is of considerable concern to the Former President because after all apart from Mr Ofori Atta being his cousin, more importantly, he was the Minister for Finance in both the governments of his mandate. But that concern does not extend to wanting to interfere with the rule of law. Hopefully this sets the records straight on this matter”,  the statement noted.

Ken Ofori-Atta made headline news for both good and bad reasons when he was Finance Minister but after his Party was voted out of government, he dominated headline news even some more because the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) publicly declared him a wanted person and a fugitive of justice.

The former Finance Minister was declared a fugitive of justice at a time he was in the United States of America. He says he has been out of Ghana to seek medical attention and promised to return home after his treatment.  He is still out of Ghana.

Ofori-Atta’s lawyers, since February this year, have battled the OSP in a fierce legal tango ostensibly over the fugitive tag placed on him.

The OSP on the other hand has insisted Ken Ofori-Atta is needed in person to assist with investigations into corruption and corruption related charges.

It is unclear when and if Ken Ofoi-Atta would return to Ghana to face prosecutors.