Arise Ghana Petitions US Embassy, Calls on President Donald Trump to Facilitate Return of Ken Ofori-Atta

Pressure group Arise Ghana has formally petitioned the United States Government, urging President Donald Trump to facilitate the return of former Finance Minister, Mr. Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, to Ghana to face matters arising within the country’s constitutional, legal, and accountability frameworks.

The petition was presented on Friday, January 23, 2025, by the Lead Convener of Arise Ghana, Mr. Bernard Mornah, and was received by the United States Ambassador to Ghana on behalf of President Donald Trump, following a week-long picketing exercise by the group at the US Embassy in Accra.

Reading the petition, Mr. Mornah stated that Arise Ghana was acting on behalf of the generality of Ghanaian citizens who are demanding transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law in relation to the former Finance Minister’s stewardship of Ghana’s public finances.

The group emphasized that its petition is not driven by prejudice nor a presumption of guilt, but rather by Ghana’s constitutional commitment to due process, democratic accountability, and institutional integrity.

“This request is guided neither by prejudice nor presumption of guilt,” the petition noted, stressing that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s presence in Ghana is being sought by appropriate state institutions operating within established legal and constitutional mandates.

Arise Ghana further grounded its appeal in the long-standing bilateral relationship between Ghana and the United States, describing it as one built on shared democratic values, good governance, respect for sovereignty, and cooperation in matters of justice and accountability.

According to the group, facilitating lawful processes in such matters strengthens public confidence in democratic institutions and reinforces international norms that public officials must be held accountable, regardless of status or location.

The petition therefore called on the United States Embassy, within the scope of its diplomatic mandate and applicable international and domestic laws, to provide any assistance or guidance that would support efforts to facilitate the return of Mr. Ofori-Atta to Ghana to engage constructively with relevant authorities.

As a gesture of good faith, Arise Ghana announced the temporary suspension of its intended indefinite picketing for a period of one week, to allow time for the United States Government and President Donald Trump to consider the petition and respond.

However, the group cautioned that if no progress is made within the stated period, it would resume the picketing, insisting that its actions are consistent with established precedents where Ghana has cooperated with the United States in facilitating the return of Ghanaian citizens to face lawful processes when requested by US authorities.

The petition concluded with assurances of Arise Ghana’s highest regard for the Government and people of the United States and expressed appreciation for America’s continued support for democratic governance, accountability, and institutional integrity in Ghana.

The petition was signed and presented by Mr. Bernard Mornah, Lead Convener of Arise Ghana.

By Joseph Wemakor