Ofori-Atta is sick – Fmr Ass. Sec. to the Office of former President Akufo-Addo

Former Assistant Secretary to the Office of ex-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ibrahim Adjei, has stepped in to defend former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, insisting that the reason for his absence from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is strictly medical, not an act of defiance or deliberate avoidance.

According to Ibrahim Adjei, Ofori-Atta is genuinely unwell and unable to travel due to health-related complications. He emphasized that the former minister has not refused to honour the OSP’s summons but is simply not in the physical condition to appear in person.

“He has to understand that it is not the unwillingness to travel, but the medical implications of travelling that are preventing Honourable Ken Ofori-Atta from coming. At no point has he said he won’t come,” Adjei clarified.

These comments come at a time when pressure is mounting on Ofori-Atta to appear before the OSP to assist with ongoing investigations. The Special Prosecutor has directed that Ofori-Atta must report in person on Monday, June 2, 2025, failing which he may be declared a fugitive. There is even the possibility of an INTERPOL Red Notice being issued to track and arrest him internationally if he fails to cooperate.

Despite this looming threat, Adjei maintains that the former minister’s absence is not a legal tactic to stall the process. He explained that Ken Ofori-Atta’s legal team had already submitted comprehensive medical documents to both the OSP and the Human Rights Court, outlining the seriousness of his health condition and the scheduled medical procedures he is undergoing.

“Nobody can accuse him of a last-minute excuse. His medical situation predates the current request,” Adjei stated.

He stressed that Ofori-Atta is not hiding or evading justice, as some critics have suggested. Instead, he is simply too ill to travel at the moment. This statement is in sharp contrast to accusations from political opponents and social commentators, including some members of the ruling NDC government, who believe that the former Finance Minister is deliberately avoiding the OSP’s invitation in order to delay accountability.

As part of efforts to comply while prioritizing his health, Ken Ofori-Atta has formally requested a virtual interview with the Office of the Special Prosecutor. This would allow him to respond to the ongoing inquiries while continuing his treatment.

The OSP, however, has not yet responded to this request, and it remains unclear whether a virtual session will be permitted under the current legal framework guiding the investigation.

The investigation stems from a range of allegations made against Ofori-Atta, including suspected financial misconduct during his time as Minister of Finance under the Akufo-Addo administration. The OSP is looking into matters such as possible misapplication of public funds, procedural breaches, and financial decisions that may have caused losses to the state.

The delay in Ofori-Atta’s personal appearance has provoked a political storm, with some voices, particularly within the NDC, accusing him of engaging in a “hide-and-seek” strategy to avoid accountability. Others believe the case is being politicized for convenience, especially as Ghana moves closer to the December 2025 general elections.

Within this context, Ibrahim Adjei’s comments are an attempt to calm tensions and redirect the conversation towards compassion and fairness, particularly when it comes to health-related concerns.

Nonetheless, critics argue that Ofori-Atta’s request for a virtual session appears to be a strategic move to avoid potential arrest, should he arrive physically in Ghana. Some have also questioned the timing and public release of his medical status, suggesting that it is all part of a broader effort to frustrate the work of the OSP.

The coming days are crucial. If the OSP declines the virtual session and insists on physical presence, and Ofori-Atta fails to appear, it could mark a major legal turning point in the case. Declaring him a fugitive and involving INTERPOL would raise Ghana’s accountability mechanisms to the global stage and test the robustness of its democratic and legal institutions.

For now, all eyes are on the Office of the Special Prosecutor as the nation awaits a formal decision on whether Ken Ofori-Atta’s virtual appearance request will be accepted—or if harsher steps will be taken.

Meanwhile, observers are calling for transparency, patience, and due process from all sides.

, Ibrahim Adjei, has stepped in to defend former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, insisting that the reason for his absence from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is strictly medical, not an act of defiance or deliberate avoidance.

According to Ibrahim Adjei, Ofori-Atta is genuinely unwell and unable to travel due to health-related complications. He emphasized that the former minister has not refused to honour the OSP’s summons but is simply not in the physical condition to appear in person.

“He has to understand that it is not the unwillingness to travel, but the medical implications of travelling that are preventing Honourable Ken Ofori-Atta from coming. At no point has he said he won’t come,” Adjei clarified.

These comments come at a time when pressure is mounting on Ofori-Atta to appear before the OSP to assist with ongoing investigations. The Special Prosecutor has directed that Ofori-Atta must report in person on Monday, June 2, 2025, failing which he may be declared a fugitive. There is even the possibility of an INTERPOL Red Notice being issued to track and arrest him internationally if he fails to cooperate.

Despite this looming threat, Adjei maintains that the former minister’s absence is not a legal tactic to stall the process. He explained that Ken Ofori-Atta’s legal team had already submitted comprehensive medical documents to both the OSP and the Human Rights Court, outlining the seriousness of his health condition and the scheduled medical procedures he is undergoing.

“Nobody can accuse him of a last-minute excuse. His medical situation predates the current request,” Adjei stated.

He stressed that Ofori-Atta is not hiding or evading justice, as some critics have suggested. Instead, he is simply too ill to travel at the moment. This statement is in sharp contrast to accusations from political opponents and social commentators, including some members of the ruling NDC government, who believe that the former Finance Minister is deliberately avoiding the OSP’s invitation in order to delay accountability.

As part of efforts to comply while prioritizing his health, Ken Ofori-Atta has formally requested a virtual interview with the Office of the Special Prosecutor. This would allow him to respond to the ongoing inquiries while continuing his treatment.

The OSP, however, has not yet responded to this request, and it remains unclear whether a virtual session will be permitted under the current legal framework guiding the investigation.

The investigation stems from a range of allegations made against Ofori-Atta, including suspected financial misconduct during his time as Minister of Finance under the Akufo-Addo administration. The OSP is looking into matters such as possible misapplication of public funds, procedural breaches, and financial decisions that may have caused losses to the state.

The delay in Ofori-Atta’s personal appearance has provoked a political storm, with some voices, particularly within the NDC, accusing him of engaging in a “hide-and-seek” strategy to avoid accountability. Others believe the case is being politicized for convenience, especially as Ghana moves closer to the December 2025 general elections.

Within this context, Ibrahim Adjei’s comments are an attempt to calm tensions and redirect the conversation towards compassion and fairness, particularly when it comes to health-related concerns.

Nonetheless, critics argue that Ofori-Atta’s request for a virtual session appears to be a strategic move to avoid potential arrest, should he arrive physically in Ghana. Some have also questioned the timing and public release of his medical status, suggesting that it is all part of a broader effort to frustrate the work of the OSP.

The coming days are crucial. If the OSP declines the virtual session and insists on physical presence, and Ofori-Atta fails to appear, it could mark a major legal turning point in the case. Declaring him a fugitive and involving INTERPOL would raise Ghana’s accountability mechanisms to the global stage and test the robustness of its democratic and legal institutions.

For now, all eyes are on the Office of the Special Prosecutor as the nation awaits a formal decision on whether Ken Ofori-Atta’s virtual appearance request will be accepted—or if harsher steps will be taken.

Meanwhile, observers are calling for transparency, patience, and due process from all sides.