Ghana has completed extradition process for Ofori-Atta – OSP

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has disclosed that Ghana has completed all legal formalities required for the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

According to the OSP, the process now rests entirely with authorities in the United States.

In a response to public inquiries on Facebook, Director of Communication and Strategy at the OSP, Lawyer Sammy Darko, clarified that extradition is a rigorous legal exercise—not an impulsive or theatrical event.

“Let me repeat the official position of the OSP: extradition is not what you see in movies. It is a formal, structured process governed by law,” Mr. Darko emphasized.

He explained that the Special Prosecutor’s office has already fulfilled its obligations by submitting a formal request through the Attorney-General, who in turn has triggered the necessary international procedures.

“At this point, the matter is in the hands of the U.S. legal system,” he said. “Once they conclude their internal review and clear the way, Ghanaian authorities will be invited to take custody of the individual, as the process demands.”

Drawing on precedent, Mr. Darko noted that in a previous case involving a U.S. request for extradition from Ghana, the entire process took about 15 months. He urged the public not to misinterpret the current delay as a sign of obstruction or inaction.

“Extradition does not run on emotion or speculation. It runs on legal timelines,” he stressed.

While the OSP has leveled serious charges against the former minister, the latest update from Mr. Darko offers a rare window into the intricate legal collaboration between Ghana and the United States on the matter.