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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
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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