Ghana, US to hold high-level talks on outstanding extradition requests

Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has revealed that Ghana’s Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, is expected to engage officials of the United States Department of Justice in high-level bilateral discussions aimed at resolving outstanding extradition matters between the two countries.

The planned engagement comes amid growing legal and diplomatic cooperation between Ghana and the United States on extradition issues, particularly following the recent extradition of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, to Ghana.

Sedina was returned to Ghana on Tuesday, June 9, after years of legal proceedings and sustained efforts by Ghanaian authorities to secure her extradition following her failure to appear in court during her trial.

Upon arrival, she was taken into custody by officers of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Prisons Service, with authorities initiating the necessary administrative and legal processes ahead of the commencement of her custodial sentence.

Commenting on the development, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in a Facebook post, said the upcoming meeting between the Attorney-General and the U.S. Department of Justice is expected to strengthen cooperation on extradition matters and ensure the effective handling of pending requests involving both countries.

The discussions are expected to cover several high-profile cases that have attracted public attention in both Ghana and the United States.

One of the key matters is Ghana’s request for the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who has been the subject of ongoing investigations by state authorities. Government has indicated its intention to pursue all lawful processes to secure his return if extradition becomes necessary.

The bilateral talks are also expected to address extradition requests originating from the United States, including individuals wanted in connection with criminal investigations and prosecutions, among them a suspect identified as Abu Trica.