The office of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has rejected reports that he is seeking assurances from President John Dramani Mahama for the safe passage of his cousin and former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
In a statement Tuesday, Akufo-Addo’s office described the claim, first published by the Herald Newspaper and circulated by other outlets, as “a total fabrication” and “utterly false.”
“The Former President has neither contemplated such a consideration nor expressly or impliedly made any such request or representation to President John Dramani Mahama,” the rejoinder said.
The denial comes amid heightened public interest in the legal and political fate of Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister throughout Akufo-Addo’s two-term presidency.
While acknowledging Akufo-Addo’s personal concern for his cousin, the statement emphasized that family ties do not override the rule of law.
“It is true that the fate of Mr. Ofori-Atta is of considerable concern to the Former President because, after all, apart from Mr. Ofori-Atta being his cousin, more importantly, he was the Minister for Finance in both the governments of his mandate,” the office noted. “But that concern does not extend to wanting to interfere with the rule of law. Hopefully, this sets the record straight on this matter.”
“As a firm believer of democratic tenants, Nana Akufo-Addo’s fidelity to the Rule of law has never been in question ” the statement further added.
The office also demanded that media outlets which carried the original report publish the rejoinder in full.
