The Majority Caucus in Parliament has dismissed claims that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is seeking medical treatment abroad to avoid returning to Ghana to face prosecution for alleged corruption.
According to Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, although Mr. Ofori-Atta’s ill health was evident to the public during his tenure, he remained at post and carried out his duties under the previous administration.
He argued that it is therefore inaccurate for the Minority to assert that the former minister is now seeking medical care.
The Majority Leader rejected suggestions that MPs on his side were being insensitive, insisting that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s health has only become a topic of debate because he is required to answer questions about his stewardship.
Ayariga stated, “You are giving an impression that members on this side [Majority] are insensitive to the medical condition of Ken Ofori-Atta. Ken Ofori-Atta was very sick in this country. You could see the sickness in his face. But at that time, it was sweet to be a Finance Minister.”
He continued, “How come that, suddenly, because today he is being sought after by the law enforcement agencies, he cannot live in this country and is claiming illness? He was sick when he was the Finance Minister. We all saw it.”
The issue resurfaced when the Minister for Local Government, Ahmed Ibrahim, reminded the House of an earlier assurance from Afenyo-Markin that Mr. Ofori-Atta would return to Ghana by February 18. He demanded an update on the former minister’s whereabouts.
Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim said, “He [Afenyo-Markin] gave us authoritative information that by February 18, the honourable former Finance Minister was going to be in Ghana. So I’m saying, where is the former Finance Minister? Ministers of Finance who have occupied that office, after their tenure, remain in this country. Where is he?”
In response, Afenyo-Markin rejected claims that he had misled Parliament, explaining that Mr. Ofori-Atta had formally informed the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) of his medical condition and travel plans.
He said, “The records would bear me out. Ken Ofori-Atta had written to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, through his lawyers, that he was going to be in the country on or before May. Ken Ofori-Atta again indicated that he had been booked for surgery.”
Afenyo-Markin added that doctors later recommended additional recovery time after the surgery, prompting the former minister to provide further updates.
He urged MPs to show compassion, saying, “When it comes to ill health, all of us may go through it one way or the other. If a man is going through a serious medical condition, how many of us would be bold enough to disclose our medical records? But the man has disclosed his medical record.”
He criticised efforts to politicise the matter, stressing, “Let’s be fair to Ken Ofori-Atta. It can be you tomorrow.”
Minority accuses gov’t of blocking reintroduction of anti-LGBTQ Bill
…..
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital