If Ofori-Atta would not come, go ahead and try him in absentia – Kwesi Pratt

Veteran journalist and Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has criticised what he describes as unnecessary “drama” surrounding the legal challenges involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

He said Ghana’s laws already provide a clear procedure, noting that individuals can be tried in absentia, and questioned why the matter has been allowed to escalate.

“The fact that our laws allow trial in absentia so, what is all this drama and so on? If Mr Ofori-Atta would not come, go ahead and try him in absentia. So, what is the drama about? I don’t understand what is happening,” he said on Metro TV on January 21, 2026.

Kwesi Pratt described the unfolding situation as political theatre from all sides, a development he believes is inappropriate for a case of national importance.

“There’s so much drama and I think a lot of it is political theater and both on the side of Mr Ofori-Atta himself and those who support him, and also those on the other side, there seems to be too much political theater and I’m not comfortable with political theater in matters such as this,” he stated.

While admitting that the former finance minister may have questions to answer, Pratt insisted that the courts remain the proper forum for resolving such issues.

“Clearly, there may be questions that he has to answer. Indeed, there are questions that he has to answer. If he won’t be here to answer, take it before a judge.

“Let a judge make a determination as to whether indeed there have been violations of the laws of this country and if there have been violations of the laws of this country, apply the penalty. I just don’t understand why there’s so much drama around this case… To be honest, I’m getting increasingly worried about all the drama. All the drama is totally unnecessary,” he said.

He also rejected claims that Ofori-Atta would be humiliated if he returned to Ghana, explaining that arrest and bail are normal legal procedures.

“If I were Mr Ofori-Atta, I would have returned to Ghana because the circumstances in Ghana today will show that he would arrive at the airport, he probably would be put under arrest and being put under arrest is not humiliation. He would be put under arrest.

“He would be given all the necessary conditions for bail and then he would get his bail and he would go home and rest like all his other colleagues who are facing similar processes go home,” he indicated.

Kwesi Pratt further warned that the case could drag on for several years due to Ofori-Atta’s financial resources and access to experienced lawyers.

“This case can drag for 10 years or more given the fact that Mr Ofori-Atta appears to have substantial resources at his disposal. We can hire the best lawyers, his lawyers can play the legal game in court and so on and this case can drag for 8 – 10 years and so on during which period, he will still be enjoying some measure of respect and freedom and so on. I cannot understand why there is this standoff, him refusing to come and all the drama and so on,” he concluded…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>