Ofori-Atta’s Covid-19: Battle With Liver Disease

Ken Ofori-Atta
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been sharing a harrowing account of how he was diagnosed with a liver disease and how God has been wonderful in his journey to recovery.

He said on Thursday night on Metro TV news analysis programme Good Evening Ghana hosted by Paul Adom Okyere, that “I have been battling liver disease; but my DNA is strong enough to work.”

He said “I got COVID-19 somewhere in November and then got out of a hospital’s emergency. I came home on the 10th of December, things were pretty good when I came. Then I began to feel jaundiced. I was later diagnosed and told my liver was in flame and required some work to determine what was really happening.”

“It took some time to find the probable cure which involved steroids and all of that. I went back for review in August. The information was that it’s pretty much gone. They are now titrating to see how to bring the steroid down so I can get back to normal life,” the minister said.

He said that he is fit enough to continue his duties, saying “essentially, I’m pretty much mended. I need just to manage my rest, sleep and exercise and have some good food.”

“We are grateful to God and other people who have us in prayers. But clearly, the DNA is strong enough to do the work I have to do.”

US Travel

In February, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s vetting as then Finance Minister-designate had to be postponed because he was indisposed.

He was subsequently airlifted to the United States for medical care as contained in a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance.

The statement had said that Mr. Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2021, was airlifted on Sunday, February 14, 2021 and added that he was treated for Coronavirus but developed other complications which doctors advised could be treated for now only in the US.

The statement indicated that “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.”

In his absence, in March, the Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu delivered the supplementary budget statement for 2021 in March.

Fake News

In October, there were rumours on social media that the Finance Minister was resigning due to ill health, but it turned out to be fake.

A statement issued by the ministry on October 5 had said “there is no truth in these rumours.”

“Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta is at post and focused on his mandate, given to him by His Excellency the President, to serve the people of Ghana in his capacity as Finance Minister,” the statement said.

By Ernest Kofi Adu