The Office of the Former President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has issued a strong denial, vehemently refuting media reports that suggested the former leader was seeking President John Dramani Mahama’s intervention to secure a “safe passage” for his cousin and former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Office did, however, acknowledge the deep personal and professional ties between the former president and Mr. Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister throughout both of Akufo-Addo’s administrations.
This relationship makes the current legal predicament of the former minister a matter of personal consequence to the former president.
The official rejoinder, released on December 16, 2025, directly tackles a publication from The Herald Newspaper and subsequent reports, labelling the claim of political interference as a “total fabrication”.
No Representation Made to the Presidency
The publication had alleged that the former president was “considering approaching President John Dramani Mahama to seek assurances of the safe passage for Ofori-Atta.”
However, the Office of the Former President categorically stated that even though ex-president Akufo-Addo is concerned about his cousin, he does not intend to obstruct due process and the rule of law.
“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),” the release emphasised.
The statement further added, “It is true that the fate of Mr. 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 Former President’s Office reaffirmed Nana Akufo-Addo’s commitment to democratic tenets, and his “fidelity to the Rule of Law has never been in question.”
The denial aims to quash speculation that the former leader would attempt to manipulate the executive or judicial processes on behalf of his former appointee.
The Office concluded by demanding that the media outlets responsible for the initial “errant publications” reproduce the rejoinder in full, in accordance with the former president’s rights.
