A Pressure group Arise Ghana has staged a protest at the United States Embassy in Accra, demanding the deportation of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana to face alleged criminal charges.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Ama Konadu on ‘Adea Akye Abia’ morning show at Sompa Fm-Sunyani on behalf of the group, Dr. Joseph Wemakor, a member of Arise Ghana, said the demonstrators are currently gathered at the embassy and are determined to remain there until their demands are addressed.

“Currently, Arise Ghana is in the US Embassy as we speak to you right now. We are gathered here and we are not moving at ease,” Dr. Wemakor stated.

According to him, the group is calling on US authorities to facilitate the return of Mr. Ofori-Atta, who served as Ghana’s Finance Minister for nearly eight years, to answer to accusations of financial misconduct.

“The message that we have for the US Embassy is that Ken Ofori-Atta should be deported to Ghana so that he can face justice for the sins that he has committed,” he said.

Dr. Wemakor alleged that during Mr. Ofori-Atta’s tenure, the state suffered significant financial losses, accusing the former minister of involvement in crimes including conspiracy to commit procurement fraud.

“From accounts, it has that he has committed a lot of crime causing financial losses to the state, conspiracy to commit procurement frauds. These were the charges that were meted out, and so he must be here to answer to all this and ensure that justice is served,” he added.

Arise Ghana further claimed that Mr. Ofori-Atta has travelled to the United States and is reluctant to return to Ghana to face the allegations against him.

“But unfortunately, he has traveled to the US and it looks like he has been kept there and doesn’t want to come back to Ghana,” Dr. Wemakor said.

The group says it plans to maintain its presence at the embassy for up to two weeks if no action is taken.

“Currently, we are right in front of the embassy and we’ll be here for two weeks. If nothing happens and our wish doesn’t come to pass, it means we have to be here every day for the past two weeks,” he warned.

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan