The Office of the Former President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has dismissed as a “total fabrication” a media report claiming he is seeking President John Mahama’s assurance of safe passage for his cousin and former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

In a rejoinder dated Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the office described the story, originally published by the Herald Newspaper and picked up by other outlets, as “utterly false”.

The office stated that the former president “has neither contemplated such a consideration nor expressly or impliedly made any such request or representation to President John Dramani Mahama.

The denial comes amid continued public interest in the legal and political fate of Mr Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister throughout Akufo-Addo’s two-term presidency.

While acknowledging the former president’s personal concern for Ofori-Atta, the statement sought to draw a clear line between familial ties and the rule of law.

“It is true that the fate of Mr. Ofori Atta is of considerable concern to the Former President because, after all, apart from Mr Ofori Atta being his cousin, more importantly, he was the Minister for Finance in both the governments of his mandate,” the statement read.

“But that concern does not extend to wanting to interfere with the rule of law. Hopefully, this sets the record straight on this matter,” it added.

The office has demanded that media outlets which carried the original story publish the rejoinder in full.