Rodaline Imoru Ayarna, the Second National Vice Chairperson of the Conventions People Party (CPP), has called on Ghanaians abroad to effect a citizen’s arrest on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, describing him as a wanted man who must be returned to face justice in Ghana.
Her call followed ongoing criticism about how Ofori-Atta, under whose tenure the economy deteriorated sharply, was permitted to leave the country despite being a person of interest in ongoing investigations.
“Who actually allowed Ofori-Atta to leave this country in the first instance? We were told ORAL was doing a lot of work investigating, so by all means, ORAL knew that he was a person of interest”
Rodaline Imoru Ayarna, Second National Vice Chairperson of the CPP
In a pointed and emotionally charged message, Ayarna not only questioned why Ofori-Atta was allowed to travel when Operation Recover All the Loot (ORAL) was already underway, but also accused those responsible for his exit from the jurisdiction of poor judgment.
She asserted that Ofori-Atta should not have been permitted to escape the consequences of the economic mismanagement he is widely blamed for. “He presided over our finances and saw the rundown of our hospitals,” she added, insisting he should have remained in Ghana to “have a taste of his own medicine.”
“He’s a wanted person. Any Ghanaian, African, or anyone else who finds Ken Ofori-Atta anywhere – in the restaurant or the shop, anywhere – please give him a citizen’s arrest and let’s get him back to this country”
Rodaline Imoru Ayarna, Second National Vice Chairperson of the CPP
Speaking further, she stressed that extradition is a common legal tool used globally and that Ghana should not be hesitant in applying the same standard. “Day in, day out, we read about certain people being picked up because they are wanted in their countries and extradited.”
Ayarna criticised what she called “soft landings” for political elites who, in her words, “benefit at the expense of their own people.” She referenced the country’s numerous international loans, alleging that every time the country borrowed, Ofori-Atta personally gained while ordinary Ghanaians bore the burden of repayment.
“It’s not fair and so I don’t think we should give him any form of soft landing on this,” she said, explaining that people of the former Finance Minister’s calibre do not “have conscience” and should be subjected to the full rigors of accountability.
“I don’t think he’s going to be staying on the hospital bed all the time. He will, by all means, take a walk to exercise his limbs. Whilst he’s on that walk, if you sight him, you can arrest him. He’s a wanted person”
Rodaline Imoru Ayarna, Second National Vice Chairperson of the CPP
Neglected Health Sector
Ayarna highlighted the irony of Ofori-Atta being treated at an elite hospital in the United States, while Ghanaian health facilities continue to struggle with basic equipment and resources. She noted that his condition, prostate cancer, is treatable in Ghana and lamented the lack of infrastructure for others suffering from the same ailment.
“People go through prostate cancer treatment in Ghana every day. What was so special about him that he thought he could go to one of the most expensive hospitals in the world for his treatments?”
Rodaline Imoru Ayarna, Second National Vice Chairperson of the CPP
She compared his overseas treatment to conditions at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, describing facilities there as “rusty” and questioned why taxpayer money could not have been used to equip regional hospitals with MRI, CT scan, and mammogram machines.
“How much would it have cost to buy a CT scan machine for every regional hospital in this country?” she asked. “Yet none of our hospitals are well equipped today.”
She pointed to the recent acquisition of Ghana’s first PET scan machine by the Ghana National Association of Teachers as an example of how much could have been done with state resources.
In closing, Ayarna reiterated her frustration at the former finance minister’s freedom and the health privileges he enjoys abroad. “He has the comfort of being out there treating himself, while our doctors cry for grants to buy books and conduct research,” she said, demanding immediate progress on his case.
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