The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rejected claims that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is trying to avoid accountability, with party spokesperson Lawratu Musah Saaka insisting that ongoing legal processes abroad should not be misconstrued as an attempt to evade justice.
Speaking on GHToday with Lily Mohammed on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Saaka said Ofori-Atta’s actions must be understood within Ghana’s legal framework rather than portrayed as obstruction.
“I don’t think going through all these processes means he wants to evade,” she stated. “I don’t think he has, but let’s see how it goes.”
She explained that the former minister’s recent change of immigration status was a personal decision and does not absolve him of accountability.
“He has simply filed to change his status. It’s a personal decision,” Saaka said. “It doesn’t change anything, and we have agreements with the state when it comes to some of these things.”
Saaka stressed that Ghana has established mechanisms to pursue the matter to its conclusion, warning against letting public commentary turn the case into a media trial.
“If the state is really interested in seeing this matter through, there are ways and procedures of doing things,” she said. “I believe that if the state is interested in dealing with this as it ought to be dealt with, they will do it and stop all this media trial and vindictive approach to the issue.”
Ofori-Atta faces multiple criminal charges in Ghana, including allegations linked to the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited contract and other procurement matters. He was declared wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The former finance minister appeared before a US immigration court in Virginia on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, following his detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 6.
US authorities contend that he no longer has lawful status to remain in the country after his visitor visa was revoked.
The hearing has been adjourned to April 27, 2026, as proceedings continue over Ofori-Atta’s immigration status.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Barbara Yeboah
