By Sarah Baafi
Members of the civic pressure group Arise Ghana have picketed at the United States Embassy in Accra, demanding the return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana to face justice.
The demonstration, organised on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 under the hashtag #BringBackKenOfori-Atta, saw protesters carry placards and wear T-shirts emblazoned with slogans such as “Let Ofori-Atta Face Justice”, “Ken’s Leadership Killed Ghanaians”, and “Bring Ken Back.”
According to the group, the action was aimed at urging U.S. authorities to cooperate with Ghanaian institutions in ensuring Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return. Demonstrators argued that no public official should be allowed to evade accountability.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr. Dramani Selom Dzramado, a leading member of Arise Ghana, emphasized the principle of accountability in public office. “Accountability is the bedrock of democracy. Without it, democracy cannot stand. One of the majesty of democracy is accountability. It is what gives the public confidence that duty bearers will answer for their actions,” he said.
He added that the picket would last for two weeks, after which the group may extend the action if Mr. Ofori-Atta is not repatriated. “Originally, our plan was an indefinite picket until Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta returns to Ghana. But after discussions with the police, we agreed to limit this to two weeks. If he does not come back, we will resume for another two weeks,” he stated.
Addressing claims that the protest is politically motivated, Mr. Dzramado insisted that Arise Ghana is non-partisan. “I have been holding governments accountable for over 20 years. I do not belong to any political party, and if Arise Ghana ever becomes a mouthpiece for a political party, I will bow out. My allegiance is to the supreme interest of Ghana, not any political party,” he said.
On concerns that Mr. Ofori-Atta may fear returning due to potential mistreatment, Dzramado assured that the former minister’s rights would be protected. “Ghana is a country governed by law. Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees fair trial. Should he return, any government actions will be within the law. His apprehension is unfounded,” he noted. Dzramado further pledged that Arise Ghana would intervene if the former minister’s rights are violated.
Arise Ghana has previously been involved in high-profile demonstrations, including the June 2022 “Krom Ay3 Shi” protest in Accra, which escalated into clashes with police. The group, composed mainly of youth activists and civil society actors, has campaigned vigorously on issues such as inflation, new taxes like the E-levy, fuel price hikes, and alleged corruption under past administrations.
