In an effort to help the ordinary Ghanaian understand the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) invitation to Ken Ofori-Atta, 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 are aimed at recovering stolen state funds rather than politically persecuting individuals.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Accra 100.5 FM on Thursday, 13th February 2025, Mr Quashie emphasised that the government’s primary focus is on surcharging those found culpable of illicitly acquiring public wealth.

"We are not interested in jailing anyone, but in recovering state funds to develop our country," he stressed.

Addressing speculations about whether the former Finance Minister has fled the country, Mr Quashie maintained that the law would ultimately catch up with him. If he has unlawfully taken state funds, he must be made to refund them.

Reacting to the fugitive label placed on Ken Ofori-Atta by the OSP, which has been contested by his lawyers, Mr Quashie stated that the former minister had been invited by the OSP at least three times but had failed to honour any of the invitations.

"The information (which may or may not be true) is that Ken is in Ghana. The reason why he is being shielded from honouring the OSP's invitation is troubling," he noted.

He further disclosed that he had personally travelled on the same flights with Ofori-Atta about four or five times between November and December last year, stating that the former minister appeared healthy and did not look like someone unfit to face investigations.

Despite the ongoing developments, Mr Quashie expressed optimism about Ghana’s future, noting that even some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have begun supporting calls for Ofori-Atta to face the law.

He accused the former minister and his family, in alleged collusion with President Akufo-Addo, of misappropriating state funds and warned that failure to retrieve these monies would be detrimental to Ghana’s future.

"This is not about political witch-hunting but about ensuring that the funds allegedly siphoned by Ken, his cousins, and the President are recovered. If those funds are not retrieved, it would be very worrying for Ghana's future," he asserted.

Background

On 12th February, the Office of the Special Prosecutor named former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as a suspect in four high-profile corruption investigations, including cases related to the National Cathedral project and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

During a press briefing on the same day, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng declared Ofori-Atta a wanted person and urged him to return immediately for questioning. He further warned that failure to comply could result in legal action to compel his return.