Pressure group Arise Ghana has called on the government to exhaust all avenues to bring former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta back to Ghana.
The group insists he must account for alleged crimes and “evils” committed against the state during his tenure.
Leading member Listowel Nana Kusi-Poku expressed the group’s deep disappointment following the permanent removal of the former Minister’s name from the INTERPOL Red Notice.
He described the decision as unfortunate, arguing that the reasons provided by the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) for deleting the notice were “untenable.”
Speaking in an interview on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Kusi-Poku noted that both the Attorney-General and the Special Prosecutor now face a daunting task in securing Ofori-Atta’s return.
He warned that a failure to prosecute would set a dangerous precedent, emboldening other officials to embezzle state funds and flee abroad to escape accountability.
Kusi-Poku specifically reminded President John Mahama of his “Operation Recover All Loot” initiative. He urged the administration to ensure that those who have defrauded the state are prosecuted, the stolen monies retrieved, and the culprits jailed.
“The Attorney-General, Special Prosecutor, and other state institutions have a daunting task in bringing back Ken Ofori-Atta to face justice. They must do everything possible to bring him back home… We know it is not going to be easy, and it has never been easy anywhere in the world to bring back criminals who have evaded justice… All over the world, it is a Herculean task. For people to account for their stewardship, it is not easy.
The powers granted President Mahama to govern are not easy, but he must ensure that he discharges his duties in a manner that will make Ghanaians trust him. He must do everything possible to bring him [back]. Ken Ofori-Atta must not escape justice; if not, others will also steal massively from the state and run abroad to escape justice.”
Listowel Nana Kusi-Poku posited that if Ken Ofori-Atta had committed no wrongdoing, he would not have fled the country. He challenged the former Minister to return to Ghana and face the law if he truly has nothing to hide.
He cautioned the NDC government against engaging in any “scratch my back, I scratch your back” deals with former appointees.
Listowel Kusi-Poku cautioned that such compromises would undermine the goodwill of the people, collapse the party’s integrity, and eventually drag the NDC back into opposition.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
