The New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Frank Davies, has come to the defense of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who has been absent from Ghana amid questions about his whereabouts. In an interview with Accra-based Citi News, Mr. Davies stated that Mr. Ofori-Atta will return to the country at the appropriate time. This comes as concerns have been raised about Mr. Ofori-Atta's absence, particularly with ongoing legal proceedings in Ghana.
Mr. Davies made the remarks on the sidelines of the NPP's National Delegates Congress and national officers' elections at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. He urged the public to respect the legal principle that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. According to Mr. Davies, the public should allow the legal process to take its course rather than engaging in public commentary against the former minister.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is facing 28 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences in a case before the High Court in Accra, according to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The charges relate to alleged wrongdoing involving contracts between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). In June 2026, an immigration court in the United States approved Mr. Ofori-Atta's application to adjust his immigration status.
The approval paved the way for Mr. Ofori-Atta to obtain lawful permanent residency in the United States. Mr. Davies maintained that he would not join public commentary against the former minister, saying he preferred to allow the legal process to take its course. He expressed confidence that Mr. Ofori-Atta would eventually return to Ghana, saying he would do so "in his own good time."
Mr. Davies' comments come as the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has been granted four more weeks to serve Mr. Ofori-Atta with a summons in the ongoing case. The OSP is yet to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, some Ghanaians have expressed concerns about Mr. Ofori-Atta's absence, with some calling for him to be brought back to face trial.
The NPP has recently elected new national executives, with Titus Glover winning the National Organiser race and Hawa Koomson elected as the National Women's Organiser. The party's National Delegates Congress and national officers' elections took place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Frank Davies' comments have sparked mixed reactions, with some Ghanaians calling for the former minister to be held accountable for his actions. Others have expressed support for Mr. Davies' stance, saying that the public should respect the legal process. The case against Mr. Ofori-Atta is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how the matter will be resolved.
Key points
- Ken Ofori-Atta faces 28 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences in Ghana.
- Frank Davies says Ken Ofori-Atta will return to Ghana in his own good time.
- An immigration court in the US approved Mr. Ofori-Atta's application for lawful permanent residency in June 2026.
