By Sarah Baafi
A lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Dr. Abdul Jalilu Ateku, has urged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to voluntarily return to Ghana to address issues surrounding alleged financial irregularities, warning that a prolonged stay in the United States could worsen his legal situation.
Speaking on GBC’s Current Agenda programme on Saturday, January 24, 2026, Dr. Ateku said efforts to remain in the U.S. through immigration applications could complicate attempts to secure Ofori-Atta’s return, especially if the matter escalates into a full extradition process.
According to him, once immigration relief or similar applications are granted, it becomes significantly more difficult for authorities to compel a person’s return to their home country.
“If immigration processes take their course and are adhered to, then the matter shifts to extradition, and extradition takes a much longer time,” Dr. Ateku explained.
He noted that the issues under discussion are serious and involve allegations of financial malfeasance linked to major state-related matters, including SML, ECG emissions, and other transactions carried out during Ofori-Atta’s tenure as Finance Minister.
Dr. Ateku argued that as a former Finance Minister who served for about seven years, Ofori-Atta has a responsibility to return and clarify outstanding concerns.
“These are matters that require explanation. The state has a right to ask questions, and he has a responsibility to respond,” he said.
Rejecting suggestions that Ken Ofori-Atta may face unfair treatment, Dr. Ateku stressed that Ghana’s legal system guarantees due process and does not arbitrarily trample on citizens’ rights.
“Ghana is not a republic where people’s rights are just trampled upon. Many people are going through legal processes here,” he added.
He further suggested that choosing to remain abroad could create public perceptions that the former minister has issues he cannot adequately explain.
“In my view, continuing to fight to stay in the U.S. rather than coming home does not help his integrity, his family, or his public image,” Dr. Ateku stated.
Dr. Ateku concluded that voluntarily returning to Ghana to face the issues head-on would serve Ofori-Atta better than waiting for immigration or extradition decisions that could ultimately force his return under less favourable circumstances.
