The Director of Legal Affairs of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has clapped back at the members of the New Patriotic party for going after the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, after he declared the former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, as a fugitive of justice.

According to him, people experienced injustices and hardships under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government and were mute.

He said the government’s chase after corrupt officials will not end.

Speaking on TV3’s The Keypoints, monitored by GhanaWeb, the legal practitioner said Ken Ofori-Atta must avail himself for investigation.

He explained that every Ghanaian has the benefit of due process requirement and that applies to the former finance minister.

He said members of the NPP must hail President John Dramani Mahama for being an ardent follower of the law as he appreciates the requirements of due process.

While making his submission on the declaration Ofori-Atta as wanted, Edudzi Tameklo said, “People have gone through hell under Akufo-Addo and his family members. The manner in which they weaponized investigation and criminal prosecution, never again… they should be lucky that they have a forward looking president like John Mahama... that he is a man who appreciates the requirements of due process. If you have committed an offense, so be it…

“Every citizen has the benefit of due process requirement and that extends to Mr Ofori-Atta and any other person. So, we wake up and the impression is being created that Mr Ofori-Atta is a special breed and so he should be treated differently. People went through hell under Akufo-Addo. What has started, we are just starting a drumming festival and you are already complaining?… it is at the barest minimum, just come, offer your statement, the matters will be investigated…”

On February 12, 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) declared Ken Ofori-Atta, a former Minister of Finance, a fugitive from justice.

The former minister was being investigated for alleged corruption and corruption-related offences.

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, in a press conference, said some of the offences being investigated were contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Other offences are termination of a Distribution, Loss Reduction and Associated Network Improvement Project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC) and procurement of contractors and materials.

The rest are activities and payments in respect of the National Cathedral project and activities and payments in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health (initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives) to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchases and after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 305 CDI ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.

Giving more details, he said Ofori-Atta left the jurisdiction on or around January 2, 2025, and on January 24, 2025, the OSP communicated to him that the Office considered him a suspect in respect of four of the cases described above.

The Special Prosecutor told him he was directed to attend, in person, the OSP on Monday February 10, 2025, at 1000 hours for an interview. 

He said by communication dated January 31, 2025, Ken Ofori-Atta instructed his lawyers to inform the OSP that he was out of jurisdiction indefinitely on medical grounds and that the firm would notify the OSP of his arrival in the country in aid of rescheduling his personal attendance at the OSP.

Further, the firm offered its willingness to provide the OSP with any information the OSP may require for the investigation until his arrival in the country.

Watch the Special Prosecutor declaring Ken Ofori Atta a fugitive



SA/AE