Former Tamale Central Member of Parliament Inusah Fuseini has expressed deep sympathy for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
This follows his detention in the United States, describing the treatment he received as dehumanising and unfitting for of someone of his stature.
Mr Ofori-Atta remains in federal custody in a case that now hinges on extradition evidence and strict legal deadlines, drawing widespread public attention and debate in Ghana.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, January 24, Fuseini said his concern was not about the allegations against Mr. Ofori-Atta but the manner in which he was treated while in custody.
“I have great sympathy for Ken Ofori-Atta. My sympathy for him is simply the fact that a person who has served his country in ways that not everybody out of the 33 million Ghanaians can do and can reach must not be subjected to this level of dehumanisation outside this country,” he said.
Fuseini recounted seeing the former finance minister being escorted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, handcuffed behind his back, into a vehicle.
“When I saw him with ICE’s officials escorting him into a vehicle with his hands handcuffed behind him, I thought that this person, who has reached the high echelons of governmental authority in this country, should not be treated that way,” he said.
The former MP stressed that his sadness stemmed not from the legal proceedings or the charges levied by the special prosecutor, but from the spectacle of a senior public servant being reduced to a number in the justice system.
“I feel sad for him, not because he is wanted by the Special Prosecutor; I feel sad for him because, as a human being, I don’t think that that spectacle should befall anybody — that a person of his calibre can then be substituted for a number. I feel sad,” Mr. Fuseini added.
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