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Introduction
Ghana has successfully extradited an ex-government appointee who was tried, convicted, and sentenced in absentia by an Accra High Court in April 2024, about two years ago, from the United States of America.
Both the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye-Ofosu, confirmed the extradition of former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Christine Tamakloe-Attionu, from the United States to Ghana. This marks the West African country’s first successful extradition process since 2009.
The extradition process began in 2024 under ex-President Nana Akufo-Addo and ended on June 8, 2026, after nearly two years of diplomatic engagement, legal proceedings, and judicial scrutiny in both Ghana and the United States.
Background to the case
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu served as the Chief Executive Officer of MASLOC between 2013 and 2016. She was accused of misappropriating public funds and engaging in a series of financial crimes during her tenure at the state agency.
MASLOC was established to provide financial support to small and medium-scale enterprises. In 2021, during the trial, she was granted permission by the High Court to travel to the United States for medical treatment. However, she failed to return to Ghana to continue standing trial.
On April 24, 2024, the Financial and Economic Court 2 of the High Court in Accra convicted her in absentia on numerous counts, including stealing, conspiracy to steal, causing financial loss to the State, causing loss to public property, money laundering, and procurement-related offences. She was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
The court found that she and her co-accused had caused substantial losses to the State running into tens of millions of Ghana cedis.
Following the conviction, Ghanaian authorities commenced efforts to secure her return from the United States to serve her sentence.
Ghana’s extradition request
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana formally transmitted an extradition request to the United States through diplomatic channels.
The request was supported by court judgments, affidavits, certified records of conviction, and other documentation required under the applicable extradition arrangements between Ghana and the United States.
The request triggered a series of legal proceedings in the United States to determine whether the extradition requirements had been met.
Arrest and judicial proceedings in the United States
United States authorities arrested Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu in Nevada in January 2026 pursuant to Ghana’s extradition request.
In April 2026, a United States District Court in Nevada certified her extradition after finding that all the legal requirements under the applicable extradition treaty had been met. The court concluded that the offences for which she had been convicted in Ghana were extraditable and that the evidence submitted by Ghana was legally sufficient.
The court further found that the extradition treaty between Ghana and the United States remained valid and enforceable and that Ghana had complied with the procedural requirements governing extradition requests.
Following the court’s certification, the matter was referred to the United States Secretary of State, who retained the final authority under U.S. law to authorise the surrender.
Statement from the United States
Announcing the extradition, the United States Embassy in Ghana stated that Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu had been returned to Ghana to serve a 10-year prison sentence imposed after her conviction on more than 70 criminal counts.
According to the Embassy on its Facebook page, the extradition signals the U.S.-Ghana law enforcement partnership to combat crime and related offences.
“Justice has no borders. The United States has extradited Sedina Tamakloe Attionu to Ghana, following her conviction on 70+ corruption-related charges, including embezzling more than $6M equivalent in Ghanaian taxpayer funds. This is our strong U.S.-Ghana law enforcement partnership in action, demonstrating a shared commitment to accountability, and the first extradition from the United States to Ghana since 2009,” the Embassy wrote.
Reaction of the Ghanaian government
The Ghanaian government confirmed and indicated that Sedina arrived in the country on June 9, 2026.
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye-Ofosu, noted that officials of both the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Prisons Service have custody of the extradited fugitive and will be prepared to begin her sentence.
“Meanwhile, the Attorney-General is scheduled to meet his counterparts at the United States Department of Justice for a bilateral discussion on all pending extradition requests between the two countries,” Felix said in an X post an hour after the U.S. Embassy’s announcement on June 9, 2026.
Reaction of Ghanaians to the announcement
The reaction of Ghanaians on social media has been mixed, with some praising the extradition while others say the process was slow.
Commenting on Felix’s X post, an X user, @MohammedAliu6, noted, “Two years from request to arrival. The system is slow, but it worked. Every Ghanaian official who thinks they can loot and run should be watching this very carefully.”
For another X user, @esselirah, the government must take steps to ensure that the fugitive serves her jail term.
“Please let’s make sure she serves her sentence. This will also help with the extradition of Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana. The people of Ghana will be watching keenly since she was part of the previous Mahama administration. But I trust this government to do the right thing.”
But @NanaaBaah, speculates that the President may pardon Sedina soon. He wrote:
“They are drafting her pardon papers now,….coming soon…The only reason they’ll hesitate is when they test the country’s temperature, but regardless, if they don’t find a receptive public to that action, he’ll still do it on his way out, b4 the next election.”
Also, @WilliamGOKU2 wants more than jail time. He wants Sedina to compensate the state for the loss caused.
“SEDINA TAMAKLOE-ATTIONU punishment SHOULDN’T be to spend time in prison ONLY. We want our STOLEN MONEY back from her. It shouldn’t be that criminals steal millions, billions from Ghanians, serve prison terms, and come back to enjoy their loot in freedom after that. NO, NO, NO.”
Conclusion
The extradition of Sedina marks the culmination of nearly two years of legal, diplomatic, and judicial efforts by Ghanaian and American authorities.
It represents a significant victory for international cooperation in criminal justice and reinforces the principle that accountability does not end at national borders.
Beyond the fate of one former public official, Ghanaians are expecting the successful extradition of ex-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from America.
