The Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Joseph Whittal, has urged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta to return home and account for his stewardship.
The Commissioner assured Mr Ofori-Atta that if he faces an unfair trial upon return, CHRAJ will intervene.
“Accountability is expected right from day one of your appointment. I wish to assure him that he should not worry, if his rights are violated CHRAJ will speak for him. He must come home and speak to the period he managed this country,” Mr Whittal said on January 23.
He made the call when members of Arise Ghana, a pressure group, visited his office to elicit his support for their call for Mr Ofori-Atta to be brought back home.
Mr Whittal stressed that “accountability for handling public resources is non-negotiable.”
Meanwhile, Arise Ghana has suspended its picketing at the United States Embassy after submitting a formal petition to U.S. Embassy officials.
The suspension is for one week to give time for responses from American authorities.
The group said it will resume picketing if no official responses and assurances are received on the sooner return of former finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
“Ghana and the United States of America share a long-standing and cordial relationship founded on diplomatic values, good governance, mutual respect for sovereignty and cooperation in matters of justice and institutional accountability.
“It is in this spirit of partnership and mutual respect that this petition is respectfully submitted with the understanding of facilitation of lawful processes strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions and reinforces international norms of accountability,” Bernard Monarh, Lead Convener for Arise Ghana read portions of the petition to the U.S Embassy officials.
Members of Arise Ghana begun their picketing at the US Embassy in Accra on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to demand the return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana so he can face justice.
Arise Ghana protesters gathered outside the embassy, demanded that responsibility be upheld without exception and urged U.S. authorities to work with Ghanaian institutions to secure Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return.
The picketing entered day four on Friday until the suspension following the petition to the Embassy officials.
The group claimed that the protest was intended to emphasize their demand that the former finance minister “return to Ghana to face justice.”
Speaking to the media, a member of the group, Bernard Monah said the protest would continue until U.S. authorities take steps to ensure Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return to Ghana.
“We all know that as of now, Ken Ofori-Atta is no longer sick. He went to the U.S. to seek medical attention, and now he has healed himself and overstayed his visa,” Mr. Monah alleged. “When he was flagged to be arrested, he went ahead to apply to be a permanent citizen of America.”
“This means that he has no plan to return to Ghana. He is avoiding coming back to face justice,” he added.
According to Mr. Monah, the group initially planned an indefinite demonstration but came to an agreement with the police.
“So today is the beginning. We will stay here from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and we will come back tomorrow as well.
“We agreed with the police to protest for two weeks. After the two weeks, we have decided to do a sleepover here until the U.S. finds the need to bring Ken Ofori-Atta,” he said.
By Kingsley Adusei Amakye
