BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The long-running legal pursuit of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has formally crossed the borders, as the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, confirms that the National Democratic Congress government has completed all legal steps to seek his extradition from the United States to face corruption-related charges.
Alongside Ofori-Atta, the extradition request also targets Ernest Darko Akore, a former Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Finance, both of whom are wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in connection with a sprawling web of alleged financial crimes.
From Domestic Probe To International Legal Test
Speaking on Thursday, December 18, 2025, during the Government Accountability Series, Dr. Ayine disclosed that his office formally transmitted the extradition request to U.S. authorities after receiving what he described as “all required documentation and clarifications” from the OSP.
The request, routed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is now before the United States Department of Justice, where American judicial authorities will determine whether the legal threshold for extradition under U.S. law has been satisfied.
“At this point, the process is no longer within Ghana’s control,” Dr. Ayine said. “It is now for the U.S. judicial authorities to assess whether a sufficient basis exists for extradition.”
How Ofori-Atta Became A Fugitive Suspect
The extradition move follows nearly a year of escalating legal pressure on Ofori-Atta.
In January 2025, the OSP officially named the former finance minister as a suspect in multiple corruption-related investigations.
These probes include alleged irregularities in: Contracts awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), Expenditures tied to the National Cathedral project, Tax refund operations and Selected health-sector financial transactions.
In February 2025, after repeated failure to honour invitations from the OSP, Ofori-Atta was declared a “fugitive from justice”, with investigators confirming that he was residing in the United States and had not voluntarily returned to Ghana.
Seventy-Eight Charges Loom
According to the Attorney-General, the charge sheet filed by the OSP contains 78 counts of alleged corruption and corruption-related offences against Ofori-Atta and his alleged accomplices.
While Dr. Ayine declined to discuss the substance of the charges—citing the independence of the Special Prosecutor—he urged the public to consult the charge sheet, which is already in the public domain.
“These charges largely border on causing financial loss to the state and the use of public office for private benefit,” he said.
A Test Of International Cooperation
The extradition request now places the fate of the case squarely in the hands of U.S. courts, which will examine whether: The alleged offences meet extraditable thresholds, Due process was followed in Ghana, and the evidence presented establishes probable cause.
The case could become one of the most significant international anti-corruption efforts, testing bilateral cooperation between Accra and Washington.
Government Signals No Retreat
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. judicial review, the Attorney-General insisted the government has fulfilled every legal obligation required under both Ghanaian and international law.
“We remain committed to accountability and due process,” Dr. Ayine stressed. “The law must take its course, regardless of who is involved.”
What Happens Next
With the extradition request officially lodged:
Ofori-Atta and Akore are expected to contest the process in U.S. courts
Ghanaian prosecutors must now await the outcome of American judicial proceeding
The OSP continues prosecution of other accused persons already before Ghanaian courts in the broader SML case.
