-By Daniel Bampoe
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has once again been declared a wanted man by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), following his failure to comply with a summons to appear in person for interrogation over multiple corruption-related investigations.
At a press conference in Accra on Monday, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng confirmed that Ofori-Atta is being re-added to the OSP’s wanted persons list, with a renewed request to INTERPOL to issue a Red Notice—an international alert for arrest and extradition.
The move marks a dramatic turn in what has become a high-stakes legal and political saga between the former finance minister and the state’s anti-graft agency.
Background
The confrontation between Ofori-Atta and the OSP dates back to January 2025, when he was formally identified as a suspect in five high-profile corruption cases.
He was summoned to appear before investigators on February 10, but through his lawyers, he claimed to be abroad receiving medical treatment.
Despite demands from the OSP for a return date, his legal team submitted only a non-certified doctor’s note vaguely referencing a March surgery.
Frustrated by the lack of clarity, the OSP issued a warrant for his arrest on February 12, declared him a fugitive from justice, and requested international cooperation through INTERPOL.
On February 18, Ofori-Atta communicated an expected return by May, prompting the OSP to temporarily suspend his fugitive status with a stern warning of reactivation should he fail to comply.
Five Key Cases Under Scrutiny
The investigations against Ofori-Atta span a wide range of controversial deals and financial decisions during his tenure:
1. Petroleum & Minerals Revenue Assurance:
Questions surround the contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML), allegedly awarded under dubious terms.
2. Termination of ECG-BXC Contract:
The sudden cancellation of an agreement between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing BXC is being probed for possible abuse of office and financial loss.
3. National Cathedral Payments:
The OSP is examining procurement irregularities and questionable disbursements related to the controversial National Cathedral project.
4. Ambulance Procurement Deal:
Investigators are looking into the Health Ministry’s acquisition of 307 ambulances, citing potential procurement violations and overpricing.
5. GRA Tax Refund Fund Mismanagement:
Allegations include improper handling and disbursement of the Tax P-Fund under the GRA.
Health Claims and Virtual Participation Request
Ofori-Atta’s legal team informed the OSP last week that he would not be able to meet the June 2 appearance deadline due to a medical procedure scheduled for June 13.
While they proposed that he participate virtually in the proceedings—citing provisions under Ghana’s Electronic Transactions Act—the OSP rejected the request, insisting on physical presence.
The OSP argued that Ofori-Atta’s illness had not been officially certified as incapacitating and that accepting virtual participation could set a dangerous precedent for future investigations.
“No certified medical record has been submitted. Illness is not a shield from accountability unless declared incapacitating by a competent authority,” the Special Prosecutor stated at Monday’s briefing.
Ongoing Legal Tussle in Human Rights Court
Parallel to the corruption investigations, Ofori-Atta is also pursuing legal redress.
In March 2025, he filed a lawsuit at the Human Rights Division of the High Court, challenging the legality of the OSP’s fugitive declaration and seeking to have the notice removed from public platforms and social media.
A preliminary hearing was held on March 28, with the court adjourning the matter to June 18, when it will rule on whether the OSP can continue to issue public notices against the former minister while legal proceedings are pending.
Reinstated Warrant and Global Implications
With the former minister’s absence now confirmed, the OSP has reinstated the warrant for his arrest and reactivated its request to INTERPOL for a Red Notice.
If granted, this could trigger his arrest in any of several jurisdictions where he is believed to have connections—including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands.
In its public alert, the OSP reiterated that anyone with information on Ofori-Atta’s whereabouts should contact its offices or use its designated toll-free lines.
