Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Monday, 16 June 2025, the clinical psychologist—who is also the wife of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta—stated that the absence of such procedures creates unnecessary tension between the pursuit of accountability and the preservation of human dignity.

“We need to put systems in place for when a person is critically ill,” she said. “The law must recognise that you cannot ask someone in the middle of prostate cancer treatment to jump on a plane and respond in person, as if nothing is happening.”

Her remarks come amid ongoing investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into alleged financial wrongdoing during Mr Ofori-Atta’s tenure. A red notice was issued through Interpol earlier this year after he failed to respond to a summons from the OSP.

His lawyers have attributed his absence to ongoing cancer treatment in the United States.

Professor Ofori-Atta disclosed that her husband underwent prostate cancer surgery on Friday, 13 June 2025, after a biopsy in March confirmed the diagnosis. She said the medical timeline had been fully communicated to the OSP by his legal team, including documentation from the Mayo Clinic.

“This wasn’t something we hid. We told them where we were. The biopsy in March led to the surgery. When the results showed cancer, the full procedure was scheduled for June. That is exactly what happened,” she explained.

While stressing that Mr Ofori-Atta was not evading legal processes, Professor Ofori-Atta questioned why the medical evidence had not sufficed to delay proceedings without resorting to a red notice.

“I don’t know any wife or family that would send their loved one to respond to a Special Prosecutor while they’re battling cancer,” she said.

“This is not about escaping justice. Ken has faced Parliament, CHRAJ, and the courts before. He is not hiding.”

She proposed that the justice system make provision for alternatives, such as video testimony or permitting legal representatives to respond on behalf of seriously ill individuals.

“If someone is not well, let them speak by video. Let their lawyers respond on their behalf. That way, the investigation can go on, and the person can heal,” she suggested.

She added that her family is currently focused on her husband’s recovery and assured the public that he will return to Ghana when medically cleared to do so.

“Ghana is home. When the time is right and the doctors give the go-ahead, Ken will return. But let’s not treat illness as a cover-up. Justice must be fair, but it must also be humane,” she concluded.