'He suspects he may get into trouble' – Manasseh Azure on Ofori-Atta's fight from justice

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has stated that the continued absence of former Finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta from the country suggests he may be deliberately avoiding accountability.

Speaking on the developments surrounding ongoing efforts to hold Ofori-Atta accountable, Manasseh said the situation is neither surprising nor new, revealing that he had earlier been informed that the former Finance minister had no plans to return to the country.

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“The end is not in sight and these developments are not new or they are not strange. I think it was on your show that I said some time ago that a source close to Ken Ofori-Atta had told me he had no intention of coming back to the country,” he said on TV3 on December 20, 2025.

According to him, Ofori-Atta’s prolonged absence appears to signal fear of potential legal consequences rather than confidence in his innocence.

“It is a shame and where it is getting to, it is becoming very clear that he suspects he's done something wrong and he suspects he may get into trouble. So, the best thing for him to do is to run, which is very unfortunate,” Manasseh argued.

Manasseh described the situation as shameful, particularly given Ofori-Atta’s long service and the trust placed in him by the state.

“To have lived your life in this country, to have been entrusted with the resources of the state, and then you are being called to account, if you think you are innocent, we are not in that military era that people would be tried a day or two and sent to jail. Why is he running away?” he said.

While welcoming steps taken by the Attorney General, Manasseh cautioned against complacency, especially when international cooperation is involved.

He warned that simply initiating legal requests without sustained follow-up could delay justice.

“It is good that some processes have started and to some extent, the Attorney General is right. But when you are dealing with another country, you shouldn't just leave everything to say it is in their hands. I know the US has time and again reached out to our state to assist them,” he asserted.

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He added, “We know that the US doesn't only deal with one institution but different investigative bodies are involved and they involve everybody to try to get the people here, repatriated to the US to face punishment. So, I know that besides the legal things, they have sometimes been diplomatic ways of dealing with this. And so if you just put in the request and go to sleep, much may not happen. I think strings can be pulled in other places and this matter should be treated with all the seriousness it deserves.”

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has criticized the Attorney-General's approach, stating that "putting in an extradition request and going to sleep will not yield results."

He insists diplomatic "strings should be pulled" to ensure Ken Ofori-Atta's return.… pic.twitter.com/3pClb2gDsH

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