Nana Yaa Jantuah Urges OSP Not to Accept Ken Ofori-Atta’s Health Excuse for Delayed Return

Presidential staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah has called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to ensure that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta does not use ill health as a reason to delay his return to Ghana for questioning.

Ofori-Atta is currently receiving medical treatment in the United States, despite being declared a suspect in four high-profile corruption cases by the OSP. The investigations involve issues surrounding the National Cathedral project, Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML), and two other matters.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng confirmed that Ofori-Atta has been officially declared wanted and must return to Ghana immediately to face questioning. He further warned that failure to return voluntarily would result in legal measures to compel his repatriation.

In response to the OSP’s declaration, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin confirmed on Thursday, February 13, 2025, that he had spoken with Ofori-Atta, who assured him of his willingness to cooperate. However, he noted that the former minister is still undergoing medical treatment and will return once he is cleared by doctors.

Speaking in an interview on Onua FM, Nana Yaa Jantuah, a former Director of Public Relations and External Affairs at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), insisted that Ofori-Atta should not be given special treatment due to his health condition. She referenced past cases where sick politicians were prosecuted and jailed without medical considerations.

“I believe we have an extradition treaty with the US, so Ken Ofori-Atta can be brought back to Ghana. We have hospitals here that can take care of him,” Jantuah stated.

She recalled instances where political figures such as Victor Selormey, a former Deputy Finance Minister under Jerry John Rawlings, suffered while in prison due to ill health. She also mentioned how Tsatsu Tsikata, a former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), was denied medical relief despite suffering an asthma attack while in custody.

“If Ken has to answer questions, he must do so. There are people who were not sick but were detained without access to medical care. So, wherever Ken is, he should return and answer the questions,” she emphasized.

The debate over Ken Ofori-Atta’s absence continues to generate public interest, with many calling for fairness and accountability in Ghana’s fight against corruption. As the OSP intensifies its probe, Ghanaians are watching closely to see whether the former finance minister will return voluntarily or face legal action to compel his return.