Former Ghana Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is currently at the center of a significant political and legal controversy, facing calls for his immediate return from the United States to address accusations of economic mismanagement and alleged misappropriation of public funds. Pressure group Arise Ghana organized a demonstration at the US Embassy in Ghana on January 20, advocating for his repatriation to face accountability in his home country.

The circumstances surrounding Mr. Ofori-Atta’s presence and legal status in the United States have become a point of contention. Bernard Mornah, Leader of Arise Ghana, asserted that Mr. Ofori-Atta had overstayed his visa and applied for permanent residency, leading to his detention by US immigration authorities for review. However, Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, presented a conflicting account, stating that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s visitor visa was intentionally revoked by US authorities, rather than simply expiring. Dr. Ayine maintained that this revocation was tied to ongoing investigations, specifically mentioning Ghana’s request for extradition in connection with the Office of the Special Prosecutor's inquiry into the SML case. Mr. Ofori-Atta was scheduled to appear before a US court on January 20 concerning his legal status.

During the protest, Bernard Mornah vehemently accused Mr. Ofori-Atta of being responsible for Ghana’s severe economic downturn, characterizing it as an "economic abortion" and attributing the nation's "premature births" to his policies. Mornah further alleged that Mr. Ofori-Atta had misappropriated public funds, specifically citing an instance where over 10 million cedis were reportedly given to Enterprise Insurance, a company he founded and later transferred to his wife. Arise Ghana questioned the lack of accountability and the absence of listed beneficiaries for an insurance scheme purportedly for frontline workers, demanding the return of these funds for judicious public use.

Mr. Ofori-Atta served as Ghana's Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, a period marked by multiple public controversies. The Office of the Special Prosecutor has initiated investigations into several transactions approved during his tenure, including revenue assurance contracts, public debt restructuring processes, and payments made under sole-sourcing arrangements, including the SML case. While his lawyers have stated his willingness to cooperate with lawful investigative processes, they have cited health and security concerns as reasons for his temporary stay outside Ghana.

As these developments unfold, the demand for accountability for alleged financial mismanagement remains strong in Ghana. The case of Mr. Ofori-Atta runs parallel to another extradition-related court appearance scheduled for former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu on January 21 in the US, further highlighting Ghana’s efforts to bring former officials to justice.