Former Finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta facing possible deportation from the United States has placed Ghana in an uncomfortable spotlight, an international corporate lawyer said during a heated discussion on Joy Newsfile, reigniting debate over accountability, national image and the conduct of public office holders.
Victoria Bright, an international corporate lawyer and entrepreneur, said assurances given by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister indicate that the United States will not interfere with deportation proceedings, should ongoing judicial processes result in such an outcome.
“The US has assured Ghana of non-interference, without prejudice to the judicial processes,” Victoria said, adding that any deportation would ultimately depend on court decisions in the United States.
Victoria described it as “sad” and “embarrassing” that a former minister of Ghana had found himself in a situation where he was reportedly being treated as an undocumented immigrant. While stressing that personal culpability must be determined by the courts, she said the episode reflected poorly on the country.
“We expect better of people who have held the highest offices of this nation,” she said. “Whether we like it or not, there is a Ghana angle, and it’s just not a good look.”
According to Victoria, the case has been treated as a special one by US authorities precisely because of the senior position the individual once held, reinforcing concerns about reputational damage for Ghana. She nonetheless welcomed what she described as the government’s firm approach to pursuing former officials deemed to have questions to answer.
“For anyone who has held public office, you must know that from the minute you sit in that office, you are accountable to the people of Ghana,” she said. “You are a custodian. It’s not yours, it’s ours.”
Victoria also raised concerns about the reported involvement of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, saying it went beyond what many initially thought was a routine immigration matter. The FBI’s role, she noted, suggested potential federal-level issues, including offshore financial dealings.
Host Samson Lardy responded that investigations by Ghana’s Attorney General, earlier probes by the Office of the Special Prosecutor and cooperation with US authorities made such involvement unsurprising.
Victoria acknowledged that offshore elements, while troubling, were not entirely unexpected, emphasising she was not asserting guilt. “If someone is minded to hide money, offshore is where you would look,” she said, adding that the matter must ultimately be settled by competent courts.