Frank Davies, a member of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s legal team, has questioned the impact of protests outside the United States Embassy in Accra, which demand the former minister’s return to Ghana.
His comments follow a demonstration by pressure group Arise Ghana outside the US Embassy on Tuesday morning. Members of the group, dressed in red and black, carried placards with slogans such as “Bring Ken Home” and “No Hiding Place for Corruption.”
The protest comes amid ongoing investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor into several financial transactions approved during Ofori-Atta’s tenure as Finance Minister.
The former minister remains outside the country while these investigations continue.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Tuesday, Mr Davies said such demonstrations are unlikely to influence the American government’s actions.
“This picketing, I think people should understand what they are doing. Do you think congregating in front of the American Embassy and waving placards and banners would make them deport Ken Ofori-Atta to the country? If it were that simple, the whole world would be in turmoil,” he said.
When asked if he considered the protests needless, Davies replied, “That is the language you are using.”
“People think these things happen in a vacuum. You assemble in front of the American Embassy, hold banners, and think that will cause Ofori-Atta to be deported?
“If it were as simple as that, why did the government, through the Attorney General, trigger the extradition process?” he asked.
About the Author
