NPP Condemns OSP’s ‘Baseless Attack’ on Former Finance Minister

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly criticized the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for its decision to label former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, as a fugitive of justice, calling the move unjustified.

During a press conference at the NPP headquarters in Accra on Thursday, February 13, 2025, Henry Nana Boakye, the party’s National Organiser, expressed concerns over what he described as a significant legal misstep by the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng. Boakye emphasized that Mr. Ofori-Atta should not be considered a fugitive while he and his legal team were still in active communication with the OSP.

“It is perplexing that a Special Prosecutor, who is a trained lawyer and lecturer, would make such an elementary mistake. How can someone be labeled a fugitive when they have not been charged, and their legal representatives are in continuous communication with the OSP?” Boakye asked, expressing disbelief over the decision. He also referenced a statement from Ansah Asare, the former Director of the Ghana School of Law, who had condemned the OSP’s actions as “barbaric, uncouth, uncivilised, and unethical.”

While the NPP reiterated its support for lawful investigations, Boakye made it clear that the party would not tolerate any form of political harassment targeting its members. He also expressed his concern about the OSP’s announcement that Sheikh Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority, was under investigation. Boakye noted that Abdul-Hamid had not received any formal notification from the OSP about the investigation.

“We are a law-abiding party and will cooperate with state institutions, but we will not accept political harassment of our members,” Boakye stated firmly.

Regarding the case of Mr. Ofori-Atta, Boakye argued that the former minister was not evading accountability, as claimed by the OSP. He explained that Ofori-Atta had informed the government about his medical trip to the United States in a letter dated January 2, 2025, addressed to the then Chief of Staff, Frema Osei-Opare. He also sent a similar letter on January 22 to the new Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, providing his contact information and reiterating his willingness to cooperate with any inquiries.

Boakye pointed out that on January 24, the OSP requested that Ofori-Atta appear before them on February 10 to answer questions regarding corruption-related allegations. However, Ofori-Atta’s legal team responded on January 31, informing the OSP of his medical condition and promising to provide an update on his return date. On February 5, the OSP rejected this response, insisting that Mr. Ofori-Atta confirm his return date by February 10 or face legal action to compel him to appear.

In response, Ofori-Atta’s lawyers submitted a letter from the Mayo Clinic on February 7, confirming that he was undergoing medical tests and might require surgery in March. The letter, signed by a medical doctor, indicated that he would likely be able to return to Ghana after March. Despite receiving this information, the OSP declared Ofori-Atta a fugitive on February 11, a decision that the NPP condemned as unreasonable and unjust.

Beyond the controversy surrounding the OSP’s actions, the NPP also criticized the government’s recent directive to revoke all public service appointments made after December 7, 2024. Boakye labeled the decision, issued by the Chief of Staff, as both illegal and unjust. He emphasized that public sector recruitment follows a set of strict procedures, which include obtaining financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance and approval from relevant oversight bodies. By invalidating appointments based solely on the date, the government was disregarding due process, Boakye argued.

“This decision will cause financial distress for thousands of families and undermine the aspirations of young professionals who aim to pursue careers in public service,” he stated.

The NPP has vowed to resist this directive, asserting that every government has the constitutional right to make appointments throughout its mandate. The party believes that such actions are not only unfair but also damaging to the morale of public servants and prospective employees within the sector.