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Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta can be tried in absentia, says PAC Vice Chairperson
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Davis Ansah Opoku, Vice Chairperson of Parliament鈥檚 Public Accounts Committee and Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, stated that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta can be tried in absentia under Ghanaian law. Speaking at the 2026 Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit on June 16, 2026, Opoku emphasized that neither citizenship nor residency status exempts individuals from accountability in Ghana. He argued that if Ofori-Atta has questions to answer, he should present himself to state authorities, and that delaying prosecution until his physical return to Ghana is problematic, as legal processes can proceed without his presence, especially with advanced investigations. This statement follows a US immigration court's approval of Ofori-Atta's I-485 petition on June 15, 2026, a step towards permanent residency in the United States. His lawyer, Frank Davies, informed the court about criminal investigations and allegations in Ghana, including a declaration by the Office of the Special Prosecutor that Ofori-Atta was a fugitive while receiving medical treatment in the US. Ofori-Atta faces multiple criminal allegations in Ghana related to financial irregularities, including claims of over GH垄1.4 billion in losses to the state from a contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey has received a visa to participate in Ghana's World Cup opening match against Panama in Canada. This development follows his appearance before the Federal Court in Ottawa, where legal proceedings began regarding his initial visa denial. Court documents show that an application for leave and judicial review was filed on June 15, 2026, under case number IMM-12882-26, listed as an immigration case arising outside Canada, and was scheduled to be heard in Ottawa.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the government of attempting to create a non-existent US$85 million debt for the Afari Military Hospital project, labeling it a "criminal" effort to misuse public funds. Addressing the media, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament鈥檚 Defence and Interior Committee and former Deputy Defence Minister, refuted claims by Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi that the contractor, Euroget De-Invest EDI, requires US$85 million to resume work. Amankwa-Manu stated that official records from the Ministry of Defence鈥檚 Project Implementation Unit show the 500-bed hospital was 92.5 percent complete by September 2024 and 98 percent complete by January 2025. He detailed that civil works were 97.5 percent complete, architectural works 87 percent, staff housing 77 percent, and roads and landscaping 80 percent and 77 percent respectively, as of September 2024. Amankwa-Manu asserted that there is no record at the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of Defence to support the US$85 million demand. He explained that the original contract sum of US$180 million has been fully paid, along with an additional US$19.3 million from the Government of Ghana. A later claim of over US$6.5 million by the contractor was negotiated down to US$3 million, with US$2.5 million already paid, leaving an outstanding balance of US$500,000. Amankwa-Manu called the jump from US$500,000 to US$85 million "mathematically absurd" and "criminal." The Minority
Former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to suspend all current and future extradition requests from the United States. This appeal follows a US immigration court's decision on June 15, 2026, to grant former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta lawful permanent residency. Mubarak also advocated for halting defense cooperation with the US until Ofori-Atta is returned to Ghana to face legal proceedings. He emphasized a "quid pro quo" approach, stating that Ghana should leverage its position. Ofori-Atta faces multiple criminal allegations in Ghana, including claims of financial irregularities that allegedly caused over GH垄1.4 billion in losses to the state. His lawyer, Frank Davies, stated that the US court reviewed the criminal investigations and allegations against Ofori-Atta in Ghana, including a declaration by the Office of the Special Prosecutor that he was a fugitive. The court was informed that this declaration occurred while Ofori-Atta was receiving medical treatment in the US and his legal team was engaging with Ghanaian investigators. A witness with expertise in international policing reportedly questioned aspects of the process used by Ghanaian authorities in the case.