Finance Minister-designate Ken Ofori-Atta has arrived in the United States safely for medical care with regard to post-COVID-19 recovery complications, sources with the Finance Ministry have told the media back home.
Mr Ofori-Atta arrived via a Delta 157 flight.
There have been widespread reports on social media that the former Finance Minister in President Nana Akufo-Addo’s first term, has died since the ministry issued a statement on Sunday, 14 February 2021 that he had been flown out for further medical treatment.
In that statement, the ministry said: “After recovering from COVID-19 last December, Mr Ofori-Atta has had medical complications, which doctors advise require further interventions not currently available in Ghana,” a statement from the Ministry of Finance said on Valentine’s Day”.
“The Ministry of Finance wishes to inform the general public and stakeholders that Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Representative of the President at the Ministry of Finance and Minister-designate of Finance, will travel to the United States of America today, for a special medical review”.
“Mr Ofori-Atta was scheduled to appear before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Tuesday, 16 February 2021”.
“The leadership of Parliament has been duly notified for a new date to be fixed upon his return”, the statement noted.
Meanwhile, some 15 more patients have succumbed to COVID-19 in Ghana.
The national death toll is now 533.
Some 718 new cases have also been confirmed, according to the Ghana Health Service.
The number of active cases is now 8,216.
Since mid-March 2020, Ghana has recorded a total of 75,836 total, 67,087 recovered
Regional breakdown
Greater Accra Region – 42,209
Ashanti Region – 13,593
Western Region – 4,442
Eastern Region – 3,252
Central Region – 2,550
Volta Region – 1,323
Bono East Region – 951
Northern Region – 827
Bono Region – 767
Upper East Region – 755
Western North Region – 747
Ahafo Region – 624
Oti Region – 257
Upper West Region – 257
Savannah Region – 68
North East Region – 42
Source: ClassFMonline.com
