According to GhanaWeb, Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, has responded to the controversy surrounding the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s announcement that former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta is a wanted fugitive.
In an interview with JoyNews on February 17, 2025, Gbande supported the OSP’s decision, affirming that the government will employ all necessary resources to secure Ofori-Atta’s extradition for investigations if he does not comply with the OSP’s request.
He noted that should any unexpected situations arise, the state would ensure that prosecution occurs, and a comprehensive investigation is conducted to verify the allegations of corruption related to the National Cathedral project.
Gbande emphasized that if Ofori-Atta refuses to return, all measures would be taken to bring him back to the country.
He also controversially stated that even in the event of Ofori-Atta’s death, the government would seek accountability for any misappropriated funds.
“Should Ken Ofori-Atta refuse to come, every measure will be deployed to bring him down to this country. If for any reason, he passes on, his dead body will be prosecuted and jailed and every stolen money belonging to the people of Ghana will be retrieved,” he said.
As the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Gbande stressed the party’s commitment to fulfilling its promise to Ghanaians of prosecuting corrupt officials and recovering misappropriated state assets.
He refuted claims that the government is engaging in a witch hunt against individuals from the previous administration, clarifying that their actions are part of a broader mandate to recover stolen funds, with Ofori-Atta being a significant focus.
On February 12, 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor declared Ofori-Atta a suspect in multiple corruption investigations, including significant cases linked to the National Cathedral project and Strategic Mobilization Limited.
During a press briefing on the same day, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng declared Ofori-Atta a wanted person who must return to Ghana to answer questions.
Discussion about this post