It will be good for you to summon Ofori-Atta back to Ghana to answer for his stewardship — NPP told

An associate president of the Ghana Watch Initiative, Kwaku Adu Boahen, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to take steps to bring former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta back to Ghana to account for his time in office.

Mr Ofori-Atta reportedly left Ghana on January 5, 2025, to seek medical care abroad. He is facing 78 corruption and corruption-related charges filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

He was detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 6, 2026, over the status of his stay.

Speaking on Accra-based TV3’s New Day on Monday, January 12, Mr Adu Boahen, who described himself as an NPP member, said the party’s credibility would be strengthened if it openly supported efforts to have the former minister return to face the allegations.

According to him, accountability is a basic responsibility of anyone who has held public office, especially one entrusted with managing the country’s finances.

He questioned why Mr Ofori-Atta would remain outside Ghana when he has close family ties in the country and ongoing legal issues to answer to.

“The very moment you take public office to protect our money and manage the finances of Ghana, you must be ready to account for your stewardship when the day of reckoning comes,” he said.

Mr Adu Boahen dismissed claims by Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyers that the charges amount to political persecution, arguing that innocent persons have no reason to evade scrutiny.

“If he has done nothing wrong, why is he running away from Ghana? In the best interest of the NPP, we must call on Ken Ofori-Atta to come back and account for his stewardship,” he noted.

He cautioned that the actions of former public officials have implications for how young Ghanaians view politics and public service, the more reason he believes the party must show it is committed to transparency and accountability, regardless of who is involved.