ORAL, OSP works geared towards recovery of looted state funds to develop our country, not political witch-hunt - Benjamin Quashie

In an effort to help the ordinary Ghanaian understand the invitation of Ken Ofori-Atta by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Benjamin Kofi Quashie, Chair of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Council of Elders for South Africa, has shared his perspective on the matter.

According to him, the actions of the OSP and the ORAL committee are aimed at recovering stolen funds rather than engaging in a witch hunt.

Speaking in a telephone interview on Accra 100.5 FM on Thursday, February 13, 2025, Mr. Quashie emphasized that, based on the actions of the OSP and ORAL, the government's primary objective is to surcharge anyone found guilty of illicitly acquiring wealth. "We are not interested in jailing anyone, but in recovering state funds to develop our country," he stressed.

Addressing concerns over whether the former Finance Minister had fled the country, Quashie firmly stated that the law would catch up with him wherever he is. If he had illegally taken state funds, he would be made to refund them.

Responding to the OSP’s classification of Ken Ofori-Atta as a fugitive—an assertion challenged by his lawyers—Quashie noted that, according to the OSP's media briefing, Ofori-Atta had been invited three times but had failed to honor the invitations.

"The information (which could be true or not) we have is that Ken is in Ghana. The reason he is being shielded from honoring the OSP’s invitation is troubling," Quashie stated. He also disclosed that he had personally shared flights with Ofori-Atta about four or five times between November and December last year and observed that he appeared healthy. "He didn't look like someone who was sick," Quashie insisted.

Despite the ongoing developments, Quashie expressed optimism about Ghana’s future, noting that even some prominent figures within the NPP had voiced support for Ofori-Atta to face the law. He alleged that the manner in which Ofori-Atta, his family, and President Akufo-Addo had looted the state was alarming, and it would be deeply concerning if no action was taken.

"This is not about political witch-hunting, but rather about the money that Ken, his cousins, and President Akufo-Addo have allegedly siphoned from Ghana. If those funds are not retrieved, it would be a serious setback for Ghana’s future," Quashie warned.

Background

On February 12, the Office of the Special Prosecutor named former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as a suspect in four high-profile corruption investigations, including cases related to the National Cathedral project and Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML).

During a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng declared Ofori-Atta a wanted person, stating that he must return immediately for questioning. He warned that failure to comply could result in legal action to compel his return.