The Director of Field Operations of the United Party, Hopeson Adorye, has warned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against speaking on corruption issues if former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, does not return to Ghana to face the law.

According to him, the continued stay of Mr Ofori-Atta in the United States could become a lasting political albatross around the neck of the NPP.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Tuesday, January 20, Mr Adorye said the credibility of the NPP’s anti-corruption stance would be permanently damaged if the former minister is allowed to remain abroad under the guise of medical treatment.

"I've been telling them [NPP] that they dare not raise any issue of corruption in this country if they allow Ken Ofori-Atta to stay in America without coming to face the law. If you are ready to make sure we fight corruption, why not come down to Ghana?" he stated.

The United Party official stressed that accountability must apply equally to all public officials, warning that failure to act would embolden future politicians to evade justice.

“If we don’t make sure that Ken Ofori-Atta comes down to face the law, whether he is acquitted or discharged, then we are sending a wrong signal.

"We need people to account for their stewardship. Otherwise, those in government now can also steal, and when they lose elections, they just write a letter saying they are going for a medical check-up, leave the country, and go enjoy themselves elsewhere. So, let us all come together as a nation and ensure that Ken Ofori-Atta comes back."

The United Party official also referenced long-standing public complaints from the NPP that only members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been jailed since the Fourth Republic.

“They [NPP] have been saying that since the Fourth Republic, only NDC people have been jailed and not a single person from the NPP has been to Nsawam. If your man is clean, then come and tell the people that your hands are clean,” he stated.