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Ofori-Atta is not a fugitive; Special Prosecutor got it wrong – NPP

By Vincent Ashitey
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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has slammed Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng for declaring former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a fugitive.

National Organiser of the party, Henry Nana Boakye, said the former minister had genuine reasons for travelling outside the country.

He said Ofori-Atta is not escaping justice but seeking medical care due to ill health.

Addressing journalists in Accra on Thursday, February 13, 2025, he declared that Ofori-Atta is not, and will never be, a fugitive.

He referred to his comments as sensational, which were made to provoke public emotions and create unnecessary drama.

“Mr. Ofori-Atta can never be a fugitive. He is not a fugitive, and he will never be a fugitive. The Special Prosecutor got it wrong. He got it wrong. Once Ofori-Atta’s doctors declare him fit and healthy, he will return to the country,” Boakye stated.

“Until then, the Special Prosecutor should avoid making sensational statements provoking public emotions and creating drama over a matter that could have been adequately resolved through correspondence,” he added.

He claimed also that declaring the former minister a fugitive amounts to a national embarrassment.

“If you label your former finance minister a fugitive, which indeed he is not, it amounts to a national embarrassment when indeed the length of your correspondence is just two weeks, and you can’t wait. It is not as if the person is lost. The person cannot be traced,” Boakye said.

Ken Ofori-Atta is wanted by the Special Prosecutor for cases being investigated including; the loss reduction contract between ECG and Beijing Jao, procurement over National Cathedral, contracts awarded by the Health Ministry to Service Ghana Auto Limited/Ambulances and the SML-GRA deal.

The Special Prosecutor further emphasized that it would take all necessary measures to compel the former minister to appear and answer questions related to the investigations.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that Ofori-Atta had repeatedly refused to honour invitations for questioning regarding ongoing investigations in which he is a suspect.

“Consequently, the OSP declares Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta a wanted person. He is a fugitive from the law,” Agyebeng announced.

Responding to the Special Prosecutor, the Lawyers of Mr Ofori-Atta said “We write as Solicitors for Kenneth Ofori–Atta in respect of the above subject and refer to your letter dated 24th January 2025. We are informed by our client that a letter dated 24:” day of January 2025 was left at our client’s security post for his attention. Our client had been out of the country and therefore not in his home in Ghana at the time.

 

“The said letter has been brought to our attention on the instructions of our client who is still out of Ghana. The said letter is inviting our client to attend in person at your offices on Monday 10″ February 2025 at 10am.”

It added that “Our client gave notice to the former Chief of Staff in early January and more recently to the current Chief of Staff of his trip outside the country on medical grounds. Our client is currently undergoing medical observation and tests culminating in medical decisions to be taken in due course as to the way forward with treatment. After that he will have a better idea of when he is able to proceed to Ghana

“We are therefore humbly bringing to your attention that we shall give you notice of his arrival in the country so as to reschedule your invitation to him for the purposes as stated in the heading of your letter under reference.