Nana Yaw Sarpong, a political aide to the leader and founder of the Movement for Change, Alan Kyerematen, has called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to stop making excuses over the absence of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is currently under investigation by the OSP for alleged corruption-related offences, including matters relating to the National Cathedral project and the SML scandal.
An Interpol red notice has been issued at the request of the OSP amid reports that he is receiving medical treatment in the United States.
The OSP says it is working with the Office of the Attorney General to facilitate the return of Mr. Ofori-Atta who recently underwent a prostate cancer surgery.
But speaking on Accra-based TV3’s New Day on Tuesday, June 17, Mr. Sarpong accused the OSP of negligence, saying the office watched passively as the former minister left the country.
“You sat and watched the man leave the country. Who didn’t know that the ambulance and National Cathedral issues were going to be investigated? Who didn’t know this in this country? And the whole system—especially the OSP—sat aloof, watched the man travel, and now they’re telling us Kwaku Ananse stories,” he said.
The Movement for Change communicator added that Mr. Ofori-Atta, who is yet to be charged, may use his health condition to delay the investigation indefinitely.
“He has not been charged. So there cannot be a trial in absentia. You’ll need to conclude the investigations to be able to charge him, right? And then you start the process. So, if for 15 years he decides to play with us on health grounds—which I hope and pray he doesn’t—we’ll still be waiting to get him into this country before we gather whatever information we need,” he stated.
