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I would gladly hand over Abu Trica for Ken Ofori Atta in return – Attorney General
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has explained that although Ghana was ready to cooperate fully in extradition matters, the return of former Finance Minister Ken Oforiata from the United States could not happen instantly because the process must go through the courts.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series, Dr Ayine stated that the principle of reciprocity applied in extradition matters and noted that Ghana had already handed over Abu Trica when requested.
He indicated that he would have been happy to quickly receive Ken Ofori Atta in return, but stressed that extradition was a judicial process and not a simple exchange between governments.
The Attorney General explained that extradition cases are handled by courts of competent jurisdiction. In Ghana, such matters are determined by district courts, while in the United States, they are handled by federal district courts.
He noted that once a person becomes the subject of an extradition request, that person is entitled to challenge the process in court. As a result, the American authorities cannot simply receive a request and immediately hand over the individual involved.
Dr Ayine disclosed that he had recently been informed that Ken Ofori Atta had hired very experienced lawyers in the United States to contest the extradition.
He emphasized that he was not afraid of this development, but acknowledged that it meant a legal battle was likely in the US courts.
According to him, if a federal district court rules against the extradition, the accused person could appeal to a circuit court and even proceed to the United States Supreme Court.
He explained that for this reason, it was not possible to give timelines on when the former finance minister might return to Ghana.
The Attorney General noted that being accountable to the public required honesty and clarity, adding that the government could not mislead Ghanaians into expecting an immediate outcome.
He assured the public that on behalf of the government of President John Dramani Mahama, all the necessary legal steps had been taken to bring Ken Ofori Atta to Ghana to face trial.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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