President John Mahama has questioned the decision of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to remain outside Ghana while efforts are underway to secure his return, saying someone who believes they have done nothing wrong should not flee the country.

Speaking during the Citizens' Engagement at the Ho Technical University as part of his Resetting Ghana Tour of the Volta Region, President Mahama explained that bringing Mr Ofori-Atta back to Ghana depends on international legal processes, including extradition proceedings in the United States.

He noted that Ghana must first rely on the existing extradition treaty with the country where the former minister is currently residing before seeking his return.

"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," the President said.

According to him, Mr Ofori-Atta is entitled to challenge any extradition request in court, where an American judge, not a Ghanaian one, 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.

President Mahama disclosed that the Attorney General's Department has already initiated the extradition process and submitted the required application, although additional documents have been requested.

He also recalled Mr Ofori-Atta's tenure as Finance Minister, describing it as one of the most influential positions in the previous administration.

The President referenced the period when more than 80 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament petitioned then-President Nana Akufo-Addo to remove Mr Ofori-Atta from office.

"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 someone who is confident of their innocence should not avoid returning home.

"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 will be afforded a fair trial under the country's judicial system and will 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 added that failure to return could leave lingering questions about the former minister's conduct.

"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.