Presidential staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah has called on the state, through the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), to ensure that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta does not use health concerns as a pretext to postpone his return to Ghana for questioning.
Ofori-Atta is currently in the United States receiving medical treatment after being named as a suspect in four major corruption investigations by the OSP. These cases include allegations related to the National Cathedral project, Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML), and two other matters.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng declared Ofori-Atta a wanted person and insisted that he must return to Ghana immediately to face questioning. He warned that if the former minister failed to comply, legal measures would be taken to force his return.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin confirmed in Parliament on Thursday, February 13, that Ofori-Atta had assured him of his willingness to cooperate with the investigations once he completes his medical treatment abroad.
However, in an interview on Onua FM, Nana Yaa Jantuah argued that Ofori-Atta should not be granted leniency on health grounds, as other politicians in similar conditions had been prosecuted and even imprisoned. She referenced cases such as that of former Deputy Finance Minister Victor Selormey, who remained in Nsawam Prison despite severe illness, and lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata, who was sent back to prison even after suffering an asthma attack while in detention.
Jantuah emphasized that Ghana has the necessary medical facilities to treat Ofori-Atta and suggested that, if necessary, he could be extradited under existing agreements with the United States. She insisted that Ofori-Atta must return to Ghana and face questioning, just as others have in the past.
