Accusations of Political Persecution Emerge Amid Growing Tensions in Ghana’s Legal and Political Circles
Serious allegations have emerged accusing Ghana’s Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, of pursuing a politically motivated campaign against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, in what unnamed sources have described as an act of “personal vendetta.”
According to unverified but widely circulating reports, the tension between the two public figures reportedly stems from a disagreement over budgetary allocations during Mr. Agyebeng’s early tenure as Special Prosecutor. These anonymous sources claim that Mr. Agyebeng was dissatisfied with how he was treated by Mr. Ofori-Atta while the latter served as Finance Minister, and allegedly vowed retribution if the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) lost power.
Alleged Plot to Arrest at Airport
The same sources allege that plans are in place to execute a dramatic arrest of Mr. Ofori-Atta upon his return to Ghana, purportedly involving armed national security operatives in a “Rambo-style” operation at the Kotoka International Airport. He is said to be targeted for detention at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with reports suggesting he could be held without trial for weeks—an allegation that has drawn parallels with the earlier reported detention of NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Bosiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.
Further claims suggest that Mr. Ofori-Atta would later be transferred to private medical facilities such as the Legon Medical Centre or The Bank Hospital under the pretext of health concerns, with bail conditions allegedly to be set at an unusually high figure—GHC 200 million.
Legal Framework and Implications
Legal experts have weighed in on the implications of such actions, warning that any politically motivated prosecution would be a violation of both domestic and international law. Ghana’s 1992 Constitution guarantees the right to due process and protection from arbitrary arrest under Articles 14 and 19.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) mandates that investigations and arrests be carried out impartially and with accountability. Section 28(3) of the Act requires that any arrested person be informed of the charges and brought before a court within 48 hours.
“If there’s any truth to these claims, it would constitute an abuse of discretionary power under Article 296 of the Constitution,” one legal analyst noted. “It could also trigger a judicial review or injunction against the Special Prosecutor’s office.”
International human rights instruments, such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the ICCPR, to which Ghana is a signatory, also protect against politically-motivated persecution.
Need for Transparency
So far, there has been no official statement from the Office of the Special Prosecutor confirming or denying any investigation involving Mr. Ofori-Atta. Political commentators and civil society organizations are calling for transparency from the OSP to preserve public trust in Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions.
In the meantime, legal observers suggest that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team remain vigilant and prepared to contest any breach of his constitutional rights through legal channels, including habeas corpus applications and injunctions.
Conclusion
As these allegations continue to circulate, Ghanaians are urged to maintain a commitment to facts, due process, and institutional integrity. If credible evidence exists of political abuse of prosecutorial authority, it should be brought before Parliament, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), or the courts for impartial investigation and redress.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more verified information becomes available.
