The Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has raised concerns over former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s absence from ongoing corruption-related investigations, backing calls for him to be tried in absentia.
Mr. Opoku said the former Finance Minister, who once led a key state institution, should recognise the importance of submitting himself to lawful questioning by state authorities.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 2026 Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit, held under the theme: “Corporate Institutions and Public Agencies as Pillars of Accountability: Strengthening Governance Systems for Sustainable National Growth.”
Reacting to developments surrounding efforts to secure the former minister’s extradition, Mr. Opoku argued that proceeding with a trial in absentia would help accelerate accountability processes and prevent unnecessary delays.
He maintained that nationality or immigration status does not exempt individuals from prosecution under Ghanaian law.
“Even a foreigner, somebody who is not even of a Ghanaian descent, when he commits a crime in our land, the person is punishable by Ghanaian laws. And so the fact that somebody has gone for American citizenship or has gone for a green card doesn’t mean that we cannot punish the person,” he said.
Mr. Opoku further insisted that Ken Ofori-Atta should make himself available to answer questions from the appropriate state institutions.
“If Ken Ofori-Atta has questions to answer, I think that he needs to avail himself to the authorities of the state and answer them,” he added.
He also questioned the practicality of delaying prosecution until the former minister returns to Ghana, describing the approach as problematic.
“So, the bit about waiting for Ken Ofori-Atta to come before he is prosecuted, I find it a bit problematic because we can try him in absentia. Even in his absence, something can be done,” he stated.
Mr. Opoku added that evidence gathered by Ghanaian authorities could also be reviewed by international partners, including U.S. authorities, to support ongoing legal processes.
His comments come amid ongoing public debate over accountability and efforts to ensure the former Finance Minister returns to Ghana to respond to corruption-related allegations.
Meanwhile, Ken Ofori-Atta has recently secured a legal victory in the United States after an immigration court approved his application to adjust his immigration status, paving the way for him to obtain lawful permanent residency.
