A leading member of the United Party (UP), Hopeson Adorye, has criticised the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for what he describes as its lack of public response to the detention of former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta by United States authorities.
Speaking during a panel discussion on UTV’s Adekye Nsroma, Mr Adorye said the way Mr Ofori-Atta was arrested should have prompted a strong reaction from the NPP.
“Ken Ofori-Atta was detained by US authorities in a rambo-style operation. He was shoved into a car and up till now the NPP has not organised a press conference to warn the United States over the rambo-style arrest. I am even surprised,” he stated.
According to Mr Adorye, the manner of the former minister’s arrest was concerning and deserved public condemnation.
“Such an operation against a former senior official requires a response. So far, there has been no organised statement from the NPP to express concern,” he said.
His comments come amid confirmation from the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C., that Mr Ofori-Atta is currently in the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a statement signed on Saturday, January 10, 2025, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, said the Embassy had received official information confirming Mr Ofori-Atta’s detention.
The Embassy also confirmed that it had formally contacted the relevant detention facility to request access to Mr Ofori-Atta in order to provide consular assistance.
Mr Adorye urged political parties and public figures to prioritise national interest in responding to incidents involving Ghanaian citizens abroad.
“We need to see a collective concern that goes beyond party lines, especially when one of our own is detained in a foreign country,” he said.
