Afenyo-Markin pressed in Parliament over Ken Ofori-Atta's prolonged absence

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin came under intense scrutiny in Parliament on Friday November 21, 2025 as MPs demanded explanations for the continued absence of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who is expected to return to Ghana to face investigations into alleged corruption-linked contracts, including the controversial GRA–SML deal and the National Cathedral project. The issue resurfaced when the Minister for Local Government, Ahmed Ibrahim, reminded the House of an earlier assurance by Afenyo-Markin that Ofori-Atta would return to the country by February 18, 2025.

He directly queried the Minority Leader for an update on the former minister’s whereabouts. “He gave us authoritative information that by February 18th, the honourable former Finance Minister was going to be in Ghana.

So I’m asking, where is the former Finance Minister?” Ahmed Ibrahim demanded. “Ministers of Finance who have occupied that office, after their tenure, remain in this country.

Where is he?” In response, Afenyo-Markin rejected claims of misleading Parliament. He explained that Ofori-Atta had officially communicated to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), through his lawyers, outlining his health challenges and travel plans.

“The records will bear me out…Ken Ofori-Atta had written to the OSP that he would be in Ghana on or before May. He also indicated that he had been booked for surgery.” OSP formally charges Ken Ofori-Atta, seven others with 78 counts He further explained that doctors later advised an extended recovery period after the scheduled procedure, leading to additional communication from the former minister seeking more time.

Afenyo-Markin urged MPs to show empathy, stressing the sensitivity of medical issues. “When it comes to ill health, all of us may go through it one way or the other.

If a man is going through a serious medical condition, how many of us would be bold enough to disclose our medical records? But the man has disclosed his medical record,” he said.

He warned against politicising Ofori-Atta’s condition, adding, “Let’s be fair to Ken Ofori-Atta. It can be you tomorrow.” However, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga rejected suggestions that MPs were being insensitive.

He argued that concerns about Ofori-Atta’s health only became pressing after he was needed to answer accountability-related questions. “You are giving the impression that members on this side are insensitive to the medical condition of Ken Ofori-Atta…Ken Ofori-Atta was very sick in this country.

You could see the sickness in his face. But at that time, it was sweet to be a Finance Minister.” He continued, “How come that suddenly, because today he is being sought after by the law enforcement agencies, he cannot live in this country and is claiming illness?

He was sick when he was the Finance Minister. We all saw it.” The former Finance Minister was invited by the OSP earlier this year to provide evidence or respond to allegations surrounding the GRA–SML revenue assurance contract and other public expenditure issues.

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Source: GhanaWeb