By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, did not flee the country, according to Legal Practitioner Enoch Anhwere Afoakwah.
Speaking during a panel discussion on GBC’s Current Agenda on Saturday, January 24, 2026, Mr Afoakwah said it was on record that Mr Ofori-Atta sought official permission before travelling abroad for medical treatment.
“Let it be clear that Ken Ofori-Atta did not run away from this country. It is on record that he sought permission before leaving to seek medical care,” he said.
According to Mr Afoakwah, on 2 January 2025, the former finance minister formally requested permission from the Chief of Staff to travel to the United States for medical treatment, which was granted.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) had invited Mr Ofori-Atta for questioning over corruption-related allegations, but he reportedly cited medical reasons for his inability to return at the time.
Mr Afoakwah said public commentary surrounding the case had become unfair and risked creating the impression that Mr Ofori-Atta would face persecution rather than prosecution if he returned to Ghana.
“We are not against the government seeking to bring Ofori-Atta back to face charges of mismanagement of state funds during his tenure, but due process must be followed,” he said. “The extradition process is becoming politicised, and this could give the US authorities the impression that he may not be accorded a fair trial.”
Meanwhile, Mr Ofori-Atta is currently being held by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration-related reasons.
He is scheduled to appear before a US judge on April 27, 2026, at 1:00 pm for a hearing on his immigration case and possible extradition to Ghana.
