President John Dramani Mahama has urged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana to answer questions over matters under investigation, reminding him of his own assertion while in office that Ghanaians were "his children" and that he could not abandon them.

Speaking during the Citizens' Engagement at the Ho Technical University as part of his Resetting Ghana Tour of the Volta Region, President Mahama said Mr Ofori-Atta should honour that sentiment by returning home to face due process.

Recalling calls by more than 80 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament for then-President Nana Akufo-Addo to dismiss Mr Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister, the President said the former minister had justified remaining in office by likening himself to a father who could not abandon his children.

"You said you were like the father of children and that you couldn't run away and leave your children. So, if we Ghanaians are your children, we're calling you. We're begging you, father, come back," President Mahama said.

He argued that anyone who believes they have done nothing wrong should have no reason to remain outside the country.

"If you're a man of principle, and you believe you've done nothing wrong, I don't see why you should flee your own country," he stated.

President Mahama assured that if Mr Ofori-Atta returns to Ghana, he would receive a fair hearing under the country's judicial system and have every opportunity to defend himself.

"We believe in the judicial system of our country. He will have the best of lawyers to defend him," he said.

The President explained that efforts to secure Mr Ofori-Atta's return are being pursued through established international legal processes, including extradition proceedings in the United States.

According to him, Ghana must first rely on the extradition treaty it has with the country where the former Finance Minister is currently residing before his return can be sought.

"If you want to bring him back, first you must have an extradition treaty with that country. Secondly, you must trigger a request and application for extradition," he said.

President Mahama noted that Mr Ofori-Atta has the legal right to challenge any extradition request before the American courts, where a judge will ultimately determine whether he should be returned to Ghana.

"He has a right to take a lawyer, go before a judge, and if he doesn't want to come, argue against coming. Eventually, it will go before an American judge who will decide whether the gentleman should be put on a plane and brought back," he explained.

He disclosed that the Attorney General's Department has already initiated the extradition process and submitted the necessary application, although additional documentation has been requested.

President Mahama added that refusing to return could leave lingering questions over the former minister's legacy.

"But if he doesn't come back, then it means he leaves a cloud of doubt over his head forever, and over his children and grandchildren. So, we'll see how things play out," he said.