New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart Okatakyie Afrifa has called on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana voluntarily, saying his continued absence is tarnishing the reputation of the NPP.

Speaking on his show For the Records with Okatakyie Afrifa, he urged Ofori-Atta to “stop the hide and seek” and come back home to face the questions surrounding his tenure in office. Afrifa emphasized that such a move would help restore public confidence in the party and demonstrate to Ghanaians that the NPP “did not come to power to steal from the state.”

“When the NPP was in power under Nana Akufo-Addo, some leaders, including Ken, disgraced the party. We asked him to resign then, but he refused, giving excuses including family reasons. Today, he has left his family behind and is staying abroad because he is wanted,” Afrifa stated.

He added that Ofori-Atta’s refusal to return is harming the party’s image. “The fact that you have refused to come to Ghana to answer questions destroys the image of the NPP, making it appear as a party for thieves. We do not fear anyone, but some truths must be spoken: Ken is destroying the party’s image rather than making it attractive,” he said.

Afrifa challenged the former finance minister to prove his integrity by returning to Ghana and answering the charges against him, saying: “If indeed you did a good job, come to Ghana and answer questions. The hide and seek is not the best approach. Even when you were sick and asked to resign, you refused — why now?”

His comments come amid news that Ken Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister from January 2017 to February 2024, has been detained in the United States over immigration-related issues. Ofori-Atta is facing numerous allegations here in Ghana, including conspiracy to commit procurement fraud and causing financial loss to the state. Ghana has requested his extradition, though his lawyers claim the charges are politically motivated.

Ofori-Atta’s legal team maintains that he left Ghana last year for medical reasons and is in the process of changing his immigration status in the US. They insist he intends to comply with Ghanaian law and address the allegations.

Afrifa’s call reflects growing pressure from within the NPP for accountability and transparency, as the party seeks to rebuild its reputation following its defeat in the 2024 elections.