Government has begun formal legal processes to secure the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from the United States, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed.
Speaking during the Reset Tour and Citizens’ Engagement in the Volta Region on Friday, July 17, President Mahama said the Attorney General’s Department has already filed the application and is submitting additional documents requested by US authorities.
“Extradition or return of fugitives from justice, it’s a legal process and so you need to respect the rights of the person at the same time. Eventually it will all go before an American judge to make a decision,” he said.
At the same time, the President appealed to Mr Ofori-Atta to return voluntarily. He referenced the former Minister’s 2022 statement when 80 NPP MPs called for his removal.
“You said you are like the father of children and that you can’t run away and leave your children. So if we Ghanaians are your children, we are calling you, we are begging you, father come back,” President Mahama said.
He questioned why someone who believes they have done nothing wrong would leave the country instead of returning to address the matter.
“If you are a man of principle and you believe you have done nothing wrong, I don’t see why you should flee your own country,” he added.
The President’s comments come as government intensifies efforts to ensure accountability in public office and recover funds linked to alleged financial infractions under the previous administration.
President Mahama said while the legal process must be followed, it was important for former public officials to subject themselves to scrutiny to clear their names.
