Kpebu urges U.S. Government to collaborate with Ghana for Ofori-Atta’s return

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has stated that the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta could prove to be quite complex.

He urged the American authorities to assist the Ghanaian government in repatriating Mr. Ofori-Atta.

“Extradition processes can be very complicated. We are hoping that the American government will cooperate with us because we really need him to come down and account to Ghanaians,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, August 23.

His comments came at a time when another Private Legal Practitioner, Austin Brako-Powers, charged the OSP to provide the latest information on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

“The report has given us information we already know. We are interested in updates on the extradition of Ken Ofori-Atta and other important ongoing investigations,” Brako-Powers also said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, August 23.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that it is currently investigating allegations of corruption and related offenses tied to the National Cathedral project. This inquiry particularly focuses on the procurement processes involving contractors and materials, payments made by former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, disbursements from the National Cathedral Secretariat, and various activities associated with the Cathedral’s construction.

In addition, the OSP is looking into suspected corruption concerning the contractual agreements between Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and Tema Energy and Processing Limited, as well as the management and operational issues of TOR from 2020 to 2024.

Moreover, the Office has confirmed that it is probing the large-scale sale of appointment letters to potential teachers and the laundering of funds derived from this illegal activity.

This information was revealed in the OSP’s 2025 Half-Year Report, which was published on Tuesday, August 19. The report also indicated that the Office is scrutinizing the operations of the National Commission on Culture during the period from 2020 to 2024, with a specific emphasis on suspected corruption and extortion related to staff salary payments and arrears.

In the report’s preface, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng underscored that the battle against corruption cannot be effectively fought through punitive measures and imprisonment alone.

He explained that the legislative set-up of the OSP places strong emphasis on prevention, asset recovery, and the disgorgement of tainted property.

“Consequently, we are pursuing sustainable anti-corruption outcomes by pairing enforcement with robust prevention and asset recovery, especially under our unique plea bargaining regime,” he noted.

He stated that the Office has ramped up its preventive efforts by actively collaborating with public institutions, private sector participants, and civil society, in addition to achieving convictions and asset recovery through effective plea bargaining.

Mr. Agyebeng further emphasized the importance of updating and enhancing Ghana’s anti-corruption legal framework.

“We have proposed the inclusion of a new chapter in the Constitution dedicated to the fight against corruption. This will firmly establish the Republic’s collective resolve against corruption through clear constitutional measures, such as lifestyle audits, non-conviction-based asset recovery, enhanced asset declaration and verification, and a reverse onus presumption of corruption as the foundation for both criminal proceedings and civil asset recovery,” he said.

He also revealed that the OSP is leading initiatives to promote the enactment of a Comprehensive Corrupt Practices Act and a Conduct of Public Officers Act.

“The Office, as one of three implementing partners of the new National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Strategy and Implementation Plan, is developing structures that will stand the test of time. The task ahead remains formidable but so is our resolve to deliver,” he affirmed.

Source: DeStoryNews