The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly defended former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, dismissing the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) claim that he is a fugitive.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Thursday, February 14, NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye refuted the OSP’s declaration, insisting that Ofori-Atta has not evaded justice and will return to Ghana once he is medically cleared.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta can never be a fugitive. He is not a fugitive, and he will never be a fugitive. The OSP got it wrong. Once Ofori-Atta’s doctors declare him fit and healthy, he will return to the country,” Boakye stated.
He accused the Special Prosecutor of making sensational statements that unnecessarily stir public emotions and create drama. Boakye argued that the matter could have been handled through proper communication rather than public declarations.
“Until then, the Special Prosecutor should avoid making sensational statements provoking public emotions and creating drama over a matter that could have been adequately resolved through correspondence,” he said.
Boakye also expressed concern that branding Ofori-Atta a fugitive tarnishes the country’s image, especially considering the short duration of the communication between the OSP and Ofori-Atta’s legal team.
“If you label your former finance minister a fugitive, which indeed he is not, it amounts to a national embarrassment when the length of your correspondence is just two weeks, and you can’t wait. It is not as if the person is lost. The person cannot be traced,” he remarked.
The OSP had declared Ofori-Atta a wanted person in connection with corruption investigations into four cases, including the National Cathedral project and Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML). However, the NPP maintains that he left the country legally for medical treatment and will cooperate with investigations upon his return.
