Arise Ghana petitions US Embassy, demands Ofori-Atta’s extradition
Arise Ghana, a pressure group, yesterday petitioned the United States (US) Embassy in Accra, demanding the deportation of former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, from the US to Ghana.
The submission of the petition followed the group’s decision to suspend its picketing at the US Embassy in Accra, opting instead to formally present its demands in writing to the US authorities.
The petition was submitted after an hour of picketing led by the Convenor, Bernard Mornah, alongside other notable figures, including Hopeson Adorye and Solomon Owusu of the United Party.
Clad in red and black, the picketers marched in front of the embassy to loud music, displaying placards bearing bold inscriptions such as “Bring back Ken to Ghana”, “Come Back Home KOA”, “This country deserves answers, not escapes”, “Ofori-Atta is a fugitive”, and “You cannot loot Ghana and hide abroad”, among others.
Petition
Presenting the petition to an official of the US Embassy, Mr Mornah said the presentation of the petition was for the embassy's diplomatic consideration and assistance in a matter of significant public interest to the country.
“This petition concerns Mr Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, a Ghanaian national and former Minister of Finance, whose presence in Ghana is being sought by appropriate state institutions to respond to matters arising within established constitutional, legal, and accountability frameworks,” he said.
The Convenor stated that the request was not guided by prejudice or presumption of guilt, but by the country’s enduring commitment to due process, transparency, accountability, and the rule of law as enshrined in its Constitution and democratic practice.
He urged the US Embassy, within the bounds of its diplomatic mandate and applicable international and domestic laws, consider providing any assistance or guidance that might support efforts aimed at facilitating the return of the former Finance Minister to engage constructively with relevant state authorities.
Mr Mornah said the group intended to suspend its picketing for one week to allow time for a response to their concerns.
He added that if no progress was made within the stipulated period, Arise Ghana reserved the right to resume the protest until Mr Ofori-Atta was made available to Ghanaian authorities.
He reaffirmed the group’s highest consideration for the US government and expressed gratitude to the US for its role in supporting democratic governance, accountability, and institutional integrity in the country.
Accountability
The Communications Director of UP, Solomon Owusu, urged the US government to extradite the former Finance Minister, whom he accused of trying to evade accountability.
He stressed that the US must not allow itself to be a haven for alleged corrupt leaders from Africa.
“The US has been bombarding us with issues of accountability; that we are underdeveloped because we are corrupt, and not accountable.
The people of this country have heeded their call and are calling for accountability.
“The person is hiding in their country; that is why we are saying that the USA must not allow the country to be used as a sanctuary for alleged corrupt officials from Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
Ofori-Atta cases
Mr Ofori-Atta is currently facing a legal battle on his immigration status in the US after he was arrested by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and detained at the Caroline Detention Centre in Virginia, US, on Tuesday, January 6 this year.
He was arraigned before the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia, presided over by Judge David Gardey, last Tuesday, before the case was adjourned to April 27 of this year.
In Ghana, Mr Ofori-Atta, along with five others, is currently facing more than 70 charges over several cases, chief among them being the financial loss of more than GH¢1.4 billion to the state in the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract saga.
