Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has disclosed that Ghana’s Attorney-General Dominic Ayine, is expected to hold high-level bilateral discussions with officials of the United States Department of Justice to address all outstanding extradition requests between the two countries.
The planned engagement comes at a time when extradition matters have become a key issue in legal and diplomatic relations between Ghana and the United States, particularly following the successful extradition of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, to Ghana.
Sedina was extradited to Ghana on Tuesday, June 9.
Her return to the country follows years of legal proceedings and efforts by Ghanaian authorities to secure her extradition after she failed to appear before the courts during the trial process.
Upon her arrival in Ghana, officials from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Prisons Service took her into custody.
Authorities are currently undertaking the necessary administrative and legal procedures to facilitate the commencement of her prison sentence.
Speaking on the broader implications of the development, Felix Kwakye Ofosu indicated in a Facebook post that the government intends to use the upcoming meeting between the Attorney-General and officials of the U.S. Department of Justice to strengthen cooperation on extradition matters and address all pending requests involving both countries.
The discussions are expected to cover several high-profile cases currently attracting public attention.
Among them is Ghana’s request for the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
The former minister has been the subject of investigations by state authorities, and the government has indicated its intention to pursue all lawful avenues to secure his return should extradition become necessary.
The bilateral talks are also expected to consider requests originating from the United States.
American authorities are reportedly seeking the extradition of a number of individuals wanted in connection with various criminal investigations and prosecutions, including a suspect identified as Abu Trica.
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