Akufo-Addo: I'll not interfere with rule of law on Ken Ofori-Atta
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reacted to a media report suggesting he was making moves to interfere with former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's case with the Office of the Special Prosecutor in relation to causing financial loss to the state.
In a statement, the former President indicated that he has neither contemplated a consideration nor expressly or impliedly made any such request or representation to President John Dramani Mahama, his agent(s) or assign(s) to seek assurances of the safe passage for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as being suggested in the media report.
Reacting to a publication by the Herald newspaper suggesting that he was planning such a move, the former President indicated that even though he was concerned about his cousin and former Finance Minister, Ofori-Atta, that does not extend to any attempt to interfere with the rule of law.
The former president made this statement in a rejoinder to the Herald's publication.
In the rejoinder, dated December 16, 2025, a copy of which was shared by the former President on social media, he described the report as false and without basis.
“The Office wishes to state emphatically that this publication is utterly false. It is a total fabrication by the supposed source,” the statement read.
The office explained that Nana Akufo-Addo has neither considered nor made any request, directly or indirectly, to President John Dramani Mahama, his representatives or associates regarding Mr Ofori-Atta’s situation.
The Herald reported that Nana Akufo-Addo was considering approaching President Mahama to seek assurances for the safe passage of Mr Ofori-Atta on his return to Ghana.
But Nana Akufo-Addo’s said his record on democratic governance was clear, adding that his fidelity to the rule of law had never been in question.
He acknowledged that Mr Ofori-Atta’s situation was a matter of concern to him because of their family ties and Mr Ofori-Atta’s service as Finance Minister during his administration.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has charged Mr Ofori-Atta with several offences of causing financial loss to the state linked to an agreement with Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
The charges include conspiracy to commit criminal offences, influencing procurement processes, causing financial loss to the state, and using public office for profit. Mr Ofori-Atta has been in the United States since February 2025, citing a kidney-related medical condition, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor has started extradition proceedings.
Mr Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s Finance Minister from 2017 to early 2023, covering the two terms of the President Akufo-Addo 'sadministration.
Below is a copy of the statement:
REJOINDER:
TROUBLED AKUFO-ADDO SEEKS MAHAMA'S AUDIENCE FOR OFORI-ATTA'S RETURNThe attention of the Office of the Former President of the Republic, Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been brought to a publication by the Herald Newspaper, which has been subsequently reported by other media outlets on the above subject matter.
The publication claimed that the former President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is " considering approaching President John Dramani Mahama to seek assurances of the safe passage for Ofori-Atta."
The Office wishes to state emphatically that this publication is utterly false. It is a total fabrication by the supposed source. The Office further states that Nana Akufo-Addo has neither contemplated such a consideration nor expressly or impliedly made any such request or representation to President John Dramani Mahama, his agents) or assign(s).
As a firm believer in democratic tenets, Nana Akufo-Addo's fidelity to the Rule of Law has never been in question.
It is true that the fate of Mr. Ofori Atta is of considerable concern to the Former President because after all apart from Mr Ofori Atta being his cousin, more importantly, he was the Minister for Finance in both the governments of his mandate. But that concern does not extend to wanting to interfere with the rule of law. Hopefully this sets the records straight on this matter.
The Office also demands that the errant publications reproduce this rejoinder in accordance with the former President's rights.
SIGNED
Office of the Former President
H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
