Private legal practitioner and member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwasi Kwarteng, has urged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana and subject himself to due process, insisting that doing so would help bring “closure” to the growing legal and public controversy surrounding him.
His comments follow Ofori-Atta’s recent release from detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over immigration-related issues, at a time when the Government of Ghana is actively pursuing his extradition.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV, Kwasi Kwarteng argued that beyond the legal issues, the matter has taken on a significant public dimension, making it important for the former minister to personally address the allegations and clear his name through the courts.
He stressed that Ghana’s constitutional framework guarantees fairness and due process for all accused persons, regardless of public perception.
Kwarteng further suggested that public office comes with enduring scrutiny and responsibility, and that accountability should not be avoided, especially in matters involving alleged financial losses to the state.
“If it was me, I will avail myself and maybe get closure on this matter. Generally the constitution is very clear that any accused person will be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a competent court of jurisdiction.
“The fact that there are attacks surrounding your personality for your actions and inactions while you were in public office does not necessarily mean that automatically when you get to Ghana, you will be treated as such.
“At this level it has more to do with an individual. The PR about how the former government has stolen and misappropriated the public purse has always been there so as soon as you accept the duty to serve in the capacity of a public officer, you will have to when the time becomes due, avail yourself for questioning and accountability,” he said.
Ken Ofori-Atta, who served under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is currently grappling with a series of legal challenges in Ghana, including more than 70 criminal charges tied to alleged financial losses to the state.
The Government of Ghana has formally initiated extradition proceedings in the United States to secure his return for prosecution.
While he has since been released from the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, his legal and immigration issues remain unresolved, with the next steps hinging on determinations by U.S. judicial authorities.
