By Sarah Baafi
Bernard Mornah, leader of the People’s National Convention (PNC), has questioned the conduct of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta amid reports of his detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing that his refusal to return to Ghana to answer allegations only deepens public suspicion.
Speaking on GBC’s Current Agenda during a discussion on “Ken Ofori-Atta Detained: ICE vs Ghana’s Extradition – Clash or Coordination?”, Mornah insisted that an innocent person has no reason to evade accountability.
“When people shout ‘thief, thief, thief,’ and you are innocent, there is no reason to run,” Bernard Mornah said. “If Ken Ofori-Atta has committed no crime and has been invited to account for his stewardship, why is he finding excuses to escape?”
According to Mr. Mornah, Ghana has moved beyond an era where political power could override due process, stressing that neither the President nor any authority can suspend the law to shield an individual. He maintained that Ofori-Atta’s continued absence has reinforced public belief that “there is no smoke without fire.”
He further noted that several officials who worked with Ofori-Atta remain in Ghana and have not fled or faced harassment, questioning why the former finance minister alone appears unwilling to submit himself to scrutiny.
“What is different about Ken?” he asked. “Others are here. They have not gone anywhere.”
Mr. Mornah also linked the controversy surrounding Ofori-Atta to Ghana’s recent economic hardships, including the IMF bailout, the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), and the impact of haircuts on bondholders. He recalled assurances previously given by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on advice from his finance minister that Ghana would not return to the IMF and that haircuts would not occur, assurances that were later reversed.
“Even the President has publicly admitted regrets over some of these decisions,” Mornah said, adding that Ofori-Atta, as the chief economic advisor at the time, must explain the rationale behind policies that caused widespread hardship.
While acknowledging reports of Ofori-Atta’s medical condition and surgery abroad, Mornah argued that illness should not prevent accountability, noting that many innocent persons would welcome the opportunity to clear their names.
“If you are innocent, you would rather dedicate yourself to proving it,” he said.
Bernard Mornah concluded by urging Ghanaian authorities to insist on due process and accountability, stressing that the country’s democracy and rule of law depend on equal treatment for all, regardless of status or political connections.
