Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has categorically denied claims that he has sought, or intends to seek, assurances from President John Dramani Mahama regarding the safe return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana.
The former President’s response follows a report published by The Herald Ghana, which alleged that he was considering engaging President Mahama to secure safe passage for Mr Ofori-Atta amid ongoing legal proceedings.
In a formal rejoinder dated December 16, 2025, and later shared on social media, Mr Akufo-Addo dismissed the publication as entirely unfounded and misleading.
“The Office states, in the strongest terms, that the report is completely false and without any factual basis. It is a fabrication attributed to a supposed source,” the statement declared.
According to the response, Mr Akufo-Addo has neither directly nor indirectly made any overtures, representations, or requests to President Mahama, his representatives, or associates concerning Mr Ofori-Atta’s circumstances.
The former President acknowledged that he remains personally concerned about Mr Ofori-Atta, noting their family relationship and his service as Finance Minister during his administration. However, he stressed that such concern does not, and will never, translate into interference with legal processes or attempts to undermine the rule of law.
Mr Akufo-Addo further pointed to his long-standing record of respect for democratic governance, emphasising that his commitment to constitutionalism and legal accountability has always been clear and consistent.
The publication by The Herald had suggested that the former President was exploring ways to approach President Mahama to secure assurances ahead of Mr Ofori-Atta’s possible return to the country. This claim, the statement said, is entirely untrue.
Mr Ofori-Atta is currently facing charges brought by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), including allegations of causing financial loss to the state in connection with an agreement involving Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
The Office of the Former President explained that it issued the clarification after the initial publication gained traction and was repeated by other media outlets, potentially misleading the public.
The statement concluded by reaffirming that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has never sought to obstruct justice or influence judicial processes and remains firmly committed to upholding the rule of law, regardless of personal or political considerations.
