The Office of the former President, Akufo-Addo, has dismissed media reports which suggest he is seeking safe passage for his cousin and former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, from President John Mahama.
According to the Office of the Former President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the media reports are a “total fabrication”.
On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the office of the former president issued a rejoinder labelling the story published by the Herald Newspaper and picked up by other outlets, as “utterly false”.
The statement stated Akufo-Addo has neither contemplated such a consideration nor expressly or impliedly made any such request or representation to President John Dramani Mahama.
The statement, however, acknowledged Akufo-Addo’s concerns for Ofori-Atta but emphasised that this does not extend to wanting to interfere with the rule of law.
The rejoinder on the matter read, “The attention of the Office of the Former President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been brought to a publication by the Herald Newspaper, which has been subsequently reported by other media outlets on the above subject matter.
“The publication claimed that the former President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is considering approaching President John Dramani Mahama to seek assurances of the safe passage for Ofori-Atta,” portions of the statement read.
“The Office wishes to state emphatically that this publication is utterly false. It is a total fabrication by the supposed source. The Office further states that Nana Akufo-Addo has neither contemplated such a consideration nor expressly or impliedly made any such request or representation to President John Dramani Mahama, his agent(s) or assign(s),” it noted.
It further added, “As a firm believer in democratic tenets, Nana Akufo-Addo’s fidelity to the Rule of Law has never been in question. It is true that the fate of Ofori Atta is of considerable concern to the Former President because, after all, apart from Mr Ofori Atta being his cousin, more importantly, he was the Minister for Finance in both the governments of his mandate. But that concern does not extend to wanting to interfere with the rule of law. Hopefully, this sets the record straight on this matter”.
The statement follows reports alleging that former President Akufo-Addo is pushing for the return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana to face allegations levelled against him.
According to the reports, Akufo-Addo is said to be deeply worried over the growing controversy surrounding his cousin, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The report alleged that the former president is pushing for Ofori-Atta’s safe passage at KIA to avoid arrest or public humiliation.
The Ghana Chronicle, in a post, claimed, “Former President Akufo-Addo is said to be deeply worried over the growing controversy surrounding his cousin and ex-Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Sources say he wants Ofori-Atta to return from the US to face the allegations, but is pushing for a “safe passage” at Kotoka Airport to avoid arrest or public humiliation”.
They further claimed that President John Mahama is insisting on Ken Ofori-Atta facing the full course of the law without any preferential treatment.
The post added, “However, insiders say President Mahama is not ready for any such arrangement and insists that the law must take its full course, with no special treatment”.
Parts of the Herald reports stated, “Insiders say Akufo-Addo believes the ongoing allegations are tarnishing the family name and undermining the legacy of his administration and insists that his cousin should return home to face the law and prove his innocence.
Family sources further reveal that the former President has been shocked and even embarrassed by reports alleging procurement breaches, abuse of public office, and violations of procurement and criminal laws, potentially involving substantial sums of public funds and irregular state contracts”.
See the statement below:
