Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has thrown his weight behind the ongoing Arise Ghana protest at the United States Embassy in Accra, warning that efforts to bring former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta back to Ghana may not be straightforward because of his financial interests in the United States.
Speaking on the second day of the picketing, which is demanding Ofori-Atta’s return to face possible prosecution, Mr. Kpebu said Ghanaian authorities may have to mount strong diplomatic and legal pressure to secure cooperation from their U.S. counterparts.
According to him, accountability must apply to all public officials, regardless of status.
Kpebu noted that Ofori-Atta’s investments within the U.S. economy could present obstacles to any extradition process, stressing that the campaigners would not relent until concrete steps are taken.
“Ofori-Atta has businesses in America; he has very large businesses there, so we should not think that he can easily be deported,” Mr Kpebu said.
“Americans also take loans from Saudi Arabia, and they value foreign investment. They owe a lot themselves, so when you invest and bring your money there, you help the country develop. Later, if you run into trouble, they may see it as a reason to assist you,” he stated.
He added that he would continue to join the demonstrations until the group’s demands are addressed.
“This is why the demonstration is important, because it makes them understand that we know they depend on foreign investment. Saudi Arabia has significant investments in America, Japan also has substantial interests there, and Ghanaians too, there are influential individuals with major investments in the United States,” he said.
Meanwhile, a leading member and organiser of Arise Ghana, Listowell Nana Kusi-Poku, said the group remains determined to sustain the protest.
He explained that demonstrators have been divided into teams to carry out specific tasks aimed at intensifying pressure on the former finance minister to return home.
Mr. Kusi-Poku reiterated that the objective of the picketing is to ensure that no public official escapes accountability. He insisted that Arise Ghana would persist with the action until justice is pursued.
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