Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has stated that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta remains steadfast in his faith despite being declared a fugitive by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Ofori-Atta is being sought for questioning over several investigations, including the ECG-Beijing Jao contract, procurement related to the National Cathedral, and the SML-GRA deal. However, he has not responded to invitations from the OSP, leading to his fugitive status.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, February 13, Afenyo-Markin revealed that Ofori-Atta is currently undergoing medical treatment outside the country.
“Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, as of this morning, I had an extensive engagement with him, he is traumatized by the labelling of this adjective [fugitive] described to his person but he still knows that his God is with him. He is undergoing some medical procedures,” Afenyo-Markin said.
He further noted that the former Finance Minister had officially informed the Chief of Staff about his condition.
“In fact, I had an early morning engagement with the Chief of Staff who confirmed that indeed Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta wrote to him, and he is in receipt of the letter. So within a reasonable time, I am sure he would come,” he added.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng disclosed that Ofori-Atta had ignored multiple requests to appear for questioning.
In response, Ofori-Atta’s lawyers clarified in a letter that their client had not deliberately avoided the OSP’s invitations but was out of the country for medical reasons.
“Our client gave notice to the former Chief of Staff in early January and more recently to the current Chief of Staff of his trip outside the country on medical grounds. Our client is currently undergoing medical observation and tests culminating in medical decisions to be taken in due course as to the way forward with treatment. After that, he will have a better idea of when he is able to proceed to Ghana.”
The lawyers assured the OSP that Ofori-Atta would provide updates upon his return and was willing to cooperate remotely in the meantime.
“We are therefore humbly bringing to your attention that we shall give you notice of his arrival in the country so as to reschedule your invitation to him… We are, however, able and willing to provide you with any information you may require to aid in your investigations until our client is back in the country for any in–person investigations outlined in the said letter.”
For now, the former Finance Minister awaits medical clearance while facing mounting legal scrutiny.
