President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to former Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, to return to Ghana and subject himself to the legal processes relating to ongoing investigations involving him.
Speaking during his Resetting Ghana Tour in the Volta Region, the President said the extradition of fugitives was governed by international law and due process, stressing that such proceedings must respect the rights of the individual concerned.
He explained that extradition could only be pursued where Ghana had an extradition treaty with the country in which the individual was residing.
President Mahama said the requesting country was required to submit a formal application, after which the individual had the right to challenge the request before a court.
He disclosed that the Attorney General’s Department had already filed an extradition application and was submitting additional documentation requested by the relevant authorities.
According to the President, the matter would ultimately be determined by a judge in the United States, who would decide whether Mr Ofori-Atta should be returned to Ghana.
President Mahama appealed directly to the former Finance Minister to return voluntarily and cooperate with the legal process.
Recalling events during Mr Ofori-Atta’s tenure as Finance Minister, the President referred to a period when more than 80 Members of Parliament from the then governing New Patriotic Party called for his removal from office.
He noted that Mr Ofori-Atta had at the time described himself as a father who could not abandon his children.
Drawing on that remark, President Mahama said: “We are begging you, Father, come back. Your children are calling you to come back.”
The President questioned why a person who believed he had done nothing wrong would remain outside the country, adding that the legal process should be allowed to take its course.
He, however, emphasised that the matter was before the courts and would proceed in accordance with the law.
