Former Deputy Attorney General Calls 1931 US Extradition Treaty Outdated

Former Deputy Attorney General, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, has called for Ghana to urgently establish a modern extradition treaty with the United States, stating the current agreement is outdated and unsuitable for a sovereign nation.

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions surrounding the extradition request for former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, who faces charges leveled by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) related to corruption and causing financial loss to the state.

Ghana currently operates under a 1931 extradition treaty with the US. Mr Tuah-Yeboah believes this is no longer fit for purpose, emphasizing the need for an agreement tailored to contemporary legal and diplomatic realities.

“I think that as an independent state, we must have a standalone treaty with the USA. In that treaty, we can detail certain things we think we also want them to do when it comes to dealing with such a process,” he stated.

According to Mr Tuah-Yeboah, a revised treaty would not only bolster cooperation between the two nations but also streamline extradition procedures and align them with modern international standards. He criticized the continued reliance on the colonial-era treaty as inappropriate for independent Ghana.

“But if we keep relying on this 1931 extradition treaty, it means that we are uselessly tied to colonial legislation,” he argued emphatically.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice recently announced that Ghana has formally submitted a request to US authorities for Mr Ofori-Atta’s extradition, along with others implicated in the charges.

Mr. Tuah-Yeboah’s call highlights a growing sentiment for Ghana to update its legal frameworks to reflect its current status and ensure effective international collaboration in combating financial crimes.

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