Many people have prostate and stand trial, they live in prison – Kwesi Pratt on Ofori-Atta’s health

The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has said he feels sorry for former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, following his detention in the United States in January 2026 amid Ghana’s formal extradition request over corruption and procurement charges filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Mr Pratt said Ofori-Atta’s reported prostate condition should not prevent him from facing justice.

The veteran journalist noted that prostate conditions are common and manageable and do not automatically stop people from carrying out demanding responsibilities or standing trial.

“I feel sorry for him, it has got to this. I really feel sorry, Why can’t he come and defend himself against the allegations…Now from all practical purposes, I think that he has worsened his case.

“Today, there are so many leaders of the last government who have been accused of wrongdoing who have been granted bail they sit in their houses and they go about their normal duties pending investigation and prosecution.

“What he has is prostate [issues]. I don’t know the state of it, but everywhere you go in the world, not just in Ghana, many people have prostate problems and they work. They stand trial, they live in prison, they live outside prison”, he said.

Mr Pratt further questioned the change in Ofori-Atta’s position.

“Why has the story changed now? Is he no longer willing to risk his health to save the interests of Ghana that he loves so much? Unless there is something the public has not been told, health should not stop him from facing justice”, he added.

Ofori-Atta was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, in Washington, DC, and is awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge on January 20.

His legal team has described the arrest as an “ambush-style” operation.

In 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor summoned Ofori-Atta for questioning. He travelled to the United States on January 2, 2025, for medical treatment at the Mayo Clinic.

After missing several appearances, the OSP declared him wanted in February 2025, and INTERPOL issued a Red Notice in June 2025 for “Using Public Office for Profit.”

Ofori-Atta remains in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody as legal processes concerning his immigration status and Ghana’s extradition request continue…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>