Public sympathy fading due to Ofori-Atta legal team’s approach — Prof. Kwaku-Asare

A former Director of the Ghana School of Law has warned the legal team representing former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to cease their antagonistic approach towards the public regarding the Special Prosecutor’s criminal probe against their client.

Professor Kwaku Ansa-Asare stated that the tactics employed by the former minister’s lawyers are backfiring and inciting public outrage at a time when the nation’s tolerance for corruption is diminishing.

During an appearance on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, June 3, Prof Ansa-Asare expressed his disappointment with the legal team’s approach.

"What they are doing is essentially antagonizing the entire nation. They are angering people. They are provoking the public," he remarked.

He contended that the legal team’s public approach to Ofori-Atta’s alleged illness is harming the former minister’s reputation and diminishing any sympathy he may have garnered.

"This is a highly sensational and attention-grabbing case that is testing the resolve of the Republic of Ghana in its battle against corruption," he pointed out.

Prof Ansa-Asare suggested that if Ofori-Atta is indeed unwell, as claimed, the appropriate course of action would be to provide credible medical documentation as required by law.

"If you are ill, please present the documentation, because according to the OSP law, there must be a submission of documents. After all, the law is concerned with evidence," he advised.

He stressed that no one, including the Special Prosecutor, would subject an ill individual to the legal process without a valid reason.

"The Special Prosecutor is a human being. I don’t believe he would intentionally try to bring Ken Ofori-Atta to face the legal system if he is genuinely unwell," he stated.

Nevertheless, he cautioned that the lack of proper legal communication is fostering a misleading narrative.

"Disseminating information online that the former Finance Minister has been diagnosed with cancer and therefore cannot appear in person, I believe, raises questions," he argued. Prof Ansa-Asare clarified that he does not oppose the rights of any accused individual.