President Mahama: Ofori-Atta extradition beyond Ghana’s control

President John Dramani Mahama has said Ghana has no control over the outcome of the extradition request involving former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, stressing that the matter lies solely with the courts in the United States.

Mr Mahama made the remarks on March 30, 2026, during a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Accra, which brought together representatives from 162 groups.

Responding to concerns raised by a representative of Arise Ghana, who warned that failure to secure Mr Ofori-Atta’s return could undermine public confidence in the country’s democratic system, the President underscored the limits of government influence in the matter.

“I cannot comment on the extradition of our former finance minister because it is in a different jurisdiction and I have no control over it,” Mr Mahama said. “It is all in the hands of the American judiciary, and it is not within our effort to influence that.”

He reiterated that although Ghana has formally submitted an extradition request, the government must allow the legal process in the United States to run its course.

Mr Mahama stated that there are two separate legal processes involving Mr Ofori-Atta in the United States.

He explained that one concerns Ghana’s extradition request, while the other relates to an immigration matter following the revocation of Mr Ofori-Atta’s visitor visa by US authorities.

“There are two parallel issues. One is the extradition request by Ghana, and the other is the immigration issue. The arrest was made by ICE for violating immigration status, and there is also the additional issue of the extradition,” he said.

Mr Ofori-Atta is contesting the extradition request while also seeking permanent residency in the United States. His legal team has argued that he would not receive a fair trial in Ghana.

The case before the US immigration court is scheduled for a hearing on April 27, 2026.

The dialogue forms part of a broader series of engagements by the Mahama administration under its Resetting Ghana Tour, which is expected to cover all 16 regions.