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Former Kumbungu MP, Ras Mubarak, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to adopt a tougher approach toward the United States in efforts to secure the return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to face criminal proceedings in Ghana.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Mubarak appealed to the government to suspend all pending and future extradition requests from the United States, as well as halt defence cooperation between the two countries until Ofori-Atta is returned to Ghana.
His remarks follow reports that a U.S. immigration court has approved Ofori-Atta’s application to adjust his immigration status, potentially clearing the path for him to obtain lawful permanent residency in the United States.
Addressing President Mahama directly, Mubarak stated: “I am respectfully appealing to you for Ghana to abort all pending and future extradition requests from the U.S., all defence cooperation with the U.S. halted until Ken Ofori-Atta is returned to face our laws.”
He argued that Ghana should use its diplomatic and strategic ties with Washington as leverage, insisting that the relationship should not continue unchanged while efforts to bring the former minister back remain unresolved.
“It has to be quid pro quo. We have things the U.S. wants, and it can’t be business as usual,” he wrote.
Mubarak further urged the President not to take a moderate approach to the issue, warning that Ghanaians expect firm action.
“Please don’t listen to the moderates in government because Ghanaians won’t forgive you if we do not play hard ball to get this done,” he added.
The comments come amid growing public discussion over the legal challenges facing Ofori-Atta in Ghana. The former Finance Minister remains the subject of several investigations and criminal allegations linked to decisions made during his time in office.
Reports from the U.S. proceedings indicate that the immigration court considered the ongoing investigations and charges in Ghana before approving his application. The court is also said to have reviewed concerns relating to the decision by the Office of the Special Prosecutor to declare Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice while he was reportedly receiving medical treatment in the United States.
Evidence was also presented challenging aspects of the procedures used in attempts to pursue the case through international law enforcement channels.
While the ruling does not affect the criminal matters before Ghanaian courts, legal observers believe it could make future efforts to secure Ofori-Atta’s return more complex.
Ofori-Atta is facing allegations of financial misconduct, including claims that a contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited caused losses exceeding GH¢1.4 billion to the state. He is also under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which in 2025 sought an INTERPOL Red Notice after he allegedly failed to honour invitations for questioning. The notice was later withdrawn.
The former Finance Minister has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Source:Omanghana
