The US Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Ghana, Rolf Olson, has described the extradition of a total of nine Ghanaian nationals to the United States on cybercrime charges within a year as an “extraordinary achievement,” given the complexity and challenges of the extradition process.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion at the US Embassy in Accra on Friday, December 12, 2025, Olson commended the government of President John Dramani Mahama for its cooperation.

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He attributed the extraditions to the government’s support and commitment to upholding the rule of law.

“Extradition of nine individuals from Ghana in one year is an extraordinary achievement, and the cooperation with the government, obviously with the President, the Attorney General, Interior Minister, has been extraordinary. It’s been a really strong collaboration,” he is quoted to have said, according to a citinewsroom.com report.

Olson indicated that nine Ghanaian nationals have been extradited to the United States in 2025 on cybercrime and related charges, including online impersonation and schemes that allegedly defrauded victims of millions of dollars.

Highlighting the complex nature of extradition processes, Olson explained that requests are made by the United States through a formal legal procedure.

He added that once arrested individuals are transferred to the US to stand trial, they are guaranteed a fair legal process until proven guilty of their alleged crimes.

“We go through a formal legal process to make a request… and then are legally sent to the United States to stand trial. Everyone gets a fair trial. They’re not guilty. They will be firmly innocent until proven guilty,” he explained.

Olson added that convicted persons could face prison sentences depending on the offences proven in court.

“These are the kinds of people who, obviously, if proven guilty in court, they should be in prison. They shouldn’t be out being able to take advantage of particularly older people,” he stated.

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On wider cooperation, he said the US remains committed to working with Ghana to combat cybercrime and financial fraud and is also open to receiving extradition requests from Ghana and other countries.

“We are always open to receiving extradition requests. That is absolutely a firm part of any good bilateral relationship,” he noted, explaining that such requests are subject to judicial review and approval by US judges.

MAG/AE

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