Pressure group Arise Ghana has accused former Finance Minister Ken Ofori–Atta of attempting to use footage of a protest at the United States Embassy in Accra to evade accountability over allegations of financial misconduct.
The group’s reaction follows disclosures by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, that lawyers for Mr Ofori-Atta had relied on videos of the protest in arguing before US immigration authorities that Ghana was unsafe for him and that he could not receive a fair trial in the country.
In a statement issued on November 5, 2026, Arise Ghana described the argument as misleading and an attempt to frustrate Ghana’s extradition request.
It maintained that the demonstration, organised by the group and other citizens, was a peaceful call for the former Finance Minister to return home and answer questions over his handling of public funds.
According to the group, portraying the protest as evidence of insecurity amounts to an attempt to criminalise citizens for exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate.
Arise Ghana also dismissed claims that Mr Ofori-Atta could not receive a fair trial in Ghana, citing the independence of the judiciary under Articles 125 and 127 of the 1992 Constitution.
It argued that Ghana’s judicial system had handled several high-profile cases and was capable of ensuring a fair trial, describing any suggestion to the contrary as an affront to the country’s institutions.
The group has consequently called on the US Department of Justice and immigration authorities to reject what it described as misleading arguments and cooperate fully with Ghana’s extradition request.
It has also urged Mr Ofori-Atta to return voluntarily to Ghana and submit himself to due process, insisting that he should not use the protest footage or legal arguments to avoid accountability.
“No amount of protest videos, legal technicalities, or public relations spin can cover up the demand for accountability,” the statement said.
The statement was signed by Arise Ghana Secretary Richard Kasu and a leading member, Dramani Selorm Dzramado.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
