President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the ongoing extradition process involving Ghana’s former Finance Minister is beyond the control of the Ghanaian government, as the matter is being handled under a different jurisdiction.
Addressing participants at a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations at Jubilee House on Monday, March 30, 2026, Mr. Mahama explained that although Ghana has formally submitted an extradition request, the final decision rests entirely with the judicial authorities in the United States.
“I cannot comment on the extradition of our former finance minister because it is in a different jurisdiction and I have no control over it,” he said.
The President urged patience, emphasising that the legal processes in the United States must be allowed to run their full course without interference.
“We have put in an extradition request, and so we just have to be patient for the laws to play out in that jurisdiction,” he added.
Mr. Mahama further clarified that the case involves two separate but related issues — the extradition request by Ghana and an immigration matter being handled by U.S. authorities.
“There are two parallel issues. One is the extradition request by Ghana, and the other is the immigration issue. The arrest was made by ICE for violating immigration status,” he explained.
He stressed that the Ghanaian government cannot influence the outcome of either process.
“It is all in the hands of the American judiciary, and it is not within our effort to influence that,” he noted.
The President concluded by reiterating the need for restraint and respect for due process, stating that Ghana will accept whatever decision is reached by the appropriate authorities.
“We just have to be patient and see what comes out of it,” he said.
SOURCE: Mubarak Yakubu
