The ongoing developments between the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, have stirred national debate—one that demands measured thought, not emotional outbursts. While I do not support Mr. Ofori-Atta nor excuse any alleged wrongdoing on his part, I remain a strong advocate for accountability in public office. If the former minister caused financial loss to the state, he must, like any other citizen, be held accountable under the law. Justice, however, must never be reduced to theatrics or driven by optics.
As a member of a royal family, I was raised with a clear understanding that illness can limit one’s capacity to fulfill official obligations. This is why I am concerned with the way the OSP has reportedly handled claims of ill health related to Mr. Ofori-Atta’s situation—allegedly cancer-related. If the OSP is aware of his geographical location, as many reports suggest, why not send a team to verify his health status directly and take his statement there, as has been done in many legal precedents globally?
Declaring someone a fugitive without first exhausting all avenues of verification, especially in a matter involving illness, raises questions about procedural fairness. The path to justice must be built on facts, compassion, and the rule of law—not assumptions or the need to satisfy public pressure.
There are international protocols in place for situations like this. Should the OSP verify his condition and still believe Mr. Ofori-Atta has a case to answer, legal action including extradition processes can be initiated within the bounds of international law. That is the civil, responsible, and lawful course to take—not a premature declaration that may erode public trust in our justice system.
In all of this, one cannot help but wonder: is there more to this story than meets the eye? Ghana’s fight against corruption must be robust, but it must also reflect our democratic values—fairness, truth, and due process. Anything less is dangerous, not just for the accused, but for the entire system we are trying to reform.
This is my opinion. And in a democracy, I am entitled to voice it.
written by Ohene Akoto
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