Ofori-Atta's green card does not shield him from extradition – Labour expert

The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has said reports of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta securing permanent residency in the United States do not place him beyond the reach of Ghanaian law or exempt him from extradition.

Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu programme on Saturday, June 20, 2026, Koomson explained that holding a U.S. green card does not confer immunity from extradition where treaties and legal agreements exist between countries.

His remarks follow growing public debate after reports that Ofori-Atta had obtained permanent residency in the U.S. while facing criminal charges filed by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

According to Koomson, while the former minister’s immigration status may provide additional legal avenues for his defence, it does not automatically prevent extradition should Ghanaian authorities pursue the process successfully. He stressed that although the situation may complicate efforts to secure his return, it does not halt the legal process, adding that prosecution in absentia remains an option.

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The OSP has maintained that Ofori-Atta remains subject to Ghanaian jurisdiction and has initiated legal proceedings to extradite him.

It dismissed suggestions that his U.S. residency status affects the substance of the charges, insisting that only a competent Ghanaian court can determine their validity.

Koomson further argued that even if Ofori-Atta chooses to reside permanently in the U.S., the allegations surrounding his tenure will continue to impact his public image, family legacy, and the reputation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He accused the NPP of mismanaging the country’s affairs and urged workers and citizens to remain vigilant against the party’s return to power, warning that its policies had previously harmed both workers and the broader economy.

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