The Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Mpraeso MP, Davis Ansah Opoku, has expressed concern over former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s failure to make himself available for questioning in ongoing corruption investigations, and has backed calls for him to be tried in absentia.
Mr. Opoku said the former Finance Minister, having previously led a key state institution, should appreciate the need to respond to lawful inquiries by state authorities.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 2026 Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit, held on the theme: “Corporate Institutions and Public Agencies as Pillars of Accountability: Strengthening Governance Systems for Sustainable National Growth.”
Reacting to developments surrounding efforts to extradite the former minister, Mr. Opoku argued that proceeding with a trial in absentia could help expedite accountability processes and ensure the matter is not delayed indefinitely.
He insisted 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 maintained that if Ken Ofori-Atta has questions to answer, he should make himself available to the appropriate state authorities.
“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 further questioned the idea of delaying prosecution until the former minister physically returns to Ghana, describing it 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 presented by Ghanaian authorities could also be assessed by foreign partners, including U.S. authorities, to support ongoing legal processes.
His comments come amid continued public debate over accountability and efforts to secure the former Finance Minister’s return to Ghana to face questioning over corruption-related allegations.
Meanwhile, the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has secured a significant 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.
