In an attempt to help the ordinary Ghanaian appreciate the invitation of Ken Ofori-Atta by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Mr Benjamin Kofi Quashie, Chair of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Council of Elders for South Africa, has shared his perspective on the matter.
According to him, the actions of the OSP and the ORAL committee were geared towards recovering stolen funds, not for witch-hunting anyone.
In a telephone conversation on Accra 100.5 FM, Thursday, February 13, 2025, Mr Quashie observed that judging from the actions of the OSP and ORAL, the government's main preoccupation is to surcharge anyone found culpable of illicitly acquiring wealth. "We are not interested in jailing anyone, but in recovering state funds to develop our country", he stressed.
As to whether the former Finance Minister has fled the country or not, Quashie strongly asserted that the law would catch up with him wherever he is. If he has taken state funds illegally, he would be made to refund them.
Reacting to the fugitive tag of Ken Ofori-Atta by the OSP, and as challenged by his lawyers, he underscored that, per the OSP's media briefing, Ofori-Atta had been given about three invitations by the OSP, which he had declined to honour.
"The information (which could be true or not) we have is that Ken is in Ghana. The reason why he is being shielded from honouring the OSP's invitation is troubling", intimated Mr. Quashie. Further, he revealed that he has personally boarded flights with Ken Ofori-Atta about 4 or 5 times between November and December last year, stating he looked healthy. 'He didn't look like someone who was sick,' stressed Mr. Quashie.
Nonetheless, despite all the happenings in Ghana, Quashie expressed optimism and happiness about the country's future, stating that he has heard some bigwigs of the NPP adding their voices to support the notion that Ken must face the law. He alleged that the way Ken and his family, in collusion with the president, have looted the state is worrying, and it would be very concerning if nothing is done about it.
"It's not about political witch-hunting, but rather the monies Ken, his cousins, in collusion with President Akufo-Addo, have allegedly siphoned out of Ghana. If those monies aren't retrieved, it would be very disturbing and worrying for Ghana's future", Quashie stated.
The background
On February 12, the Office of the Special Prosecutor named former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a suspect in four high-profile corruption investigations, including cases related to the National Cathedral project and Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML).
During a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that Ofori-Atta is now a wanted person and must return immediately for questioning, warning that failure to comply could result in legal action to compel his return.
