Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, is expected to hold high-level bilateral talks with officials of the United States Department of Justice aimed at resolving all outstanding extradition requests between Ghana and the United States, following the successful extradition of former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, to Ghana.
The discussions, expected to take place in the coming days, are likely to focus heavily on Ghana’s efforts to secure the return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his former technical adviser, Ernest Darko Akore, both of whom face criminal charges in Ghana.
The meeting comes at a time when extradition cooperation between the two countries is receiving renewed attention following the return of Tamakloe-Attionu, marking the first successful extradition from the United States to Ghana in nearly 17 years.
Sedina extradition opens new chapter
Government Spokesperson and Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced that Tamakloe-Attionu arrived in Accra on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, after a prolonged legal process in the United States.
She arrived aboard a United Airlines flight from Washington Dulles International Airport and was immediately taken into custody by officers of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Prisons Service.
According to government, Ghana submitted a formal extradition request in July 2024 after Tamakloe-Attionu was convicted in absentia by the High Court in April 2024 and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour on corruption-related charges.
“After over two years of court proceedings, the United States authorities notified the Government of her surrender in January this year. She arrived in Accra on Tuesday, June 9, 2026,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu stated.
The former MASLOC boss is expected to begin serving her prison sentence after the completion of the necessary administrative procedures.
Ofori-Atta’s extradition to dominate talks
Among the most significant issues expected to be discussed during the bilateral engagement is Ghana’s request for the extradition of Ken Ofori-Atta.
The former Finance Minister is facing investigations and charges linked to several public sector transactions, including the Strategic Mobilisation Limited contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority, the National Cathedral project, ambulance procurement contracts and certain Electricity Company of Ghana transactions.
Ofori-Atta travelled to the United States in early 2025 for medical treatment and is currently involved in separate legal proceedings in the United States relating to immigration matters and Ghana’s extradition request.
Government sources believe the upcoming discussions could help accelerate the legal processes surrounding his possible return to Ghana.
Akore case presents additional legal challenges
Another high-profile case expected to feature prominently is that of Ernest Darko Akore, a former technical adviser to Ofori-Atta.
He also faces charges by the Office of the Special Prosecutor but his dual Ghanaian-American citizenship is understood to complicate efforts to secure his extradition.
US extradition requests also on the table
The talks are expected to address extradition requests originating from the United States as well.
Among the cases attracting attention are suspects wanted by American authorities in connection with alleged romance fraud and cybercrime schemes targeting victims in the United States.
A Ghanaian court is expected to rule shortly on whether some of the suspects should be extradited to face prosecution in America.
Observers believe the discussions could pave the way for a broader framework under which both countries process extradition requests more efficiently and reduce delays in cross-border criminal proceedings.
Background to Sedina conviction
Tamakloe-Attionu served as MASLOC Chief Executive from November 2013 to January 2017.
She was first arraigned before the Financial Division of the High Court in January 2019 on 78 counts, including conspiracy to steal, stealing, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, unauthorised commitment resulting in financial obligations to government and breaches of procurement laws.
On April 16, 2024, the High Court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, convicted her in absentia and sentenced her to 10 years in prison after finding her guilty of multiple offences.
The court ruled that actions undertaken during her tenure resulted in a financial loss estimated at nearly GH¢90 million to the state.
Before the judgment was delivered, Tamakloe-Attionu left Ghana in 2019 after obtaining permission from the court to travel abroad for medical treatment but failed to return to continue with her trial.
Appeal filed in 2024
Her conviction remains the subject of an appeal before the Court of Appeal, where her legal team has challenged both the validity of the charges and aspects of the trial proceedings.
Strengthening judicial cooperation
The forthcoming meeting between Dr Ayine and officials of the US Department of Justice is expected to represent one of the most significant engagements on extradition cooperation between the two countries in recent years.
Government officials believe the talks could help remove legal bottlenecks, strengthen judicial collaboration and provide clarity on several high-profile cases that have attracted public interest in both Ghana and the United States.
