Earlier today, June 2, 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) officially reclassified former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as a fugitive from justice after he failed to honour a long-standing summons to appear in person for interrogation.
This marks a significant escalation in an already tense standoff between the anti-corruption agency and the former top official under President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration.
Now, the OSP is going beyond national borders—requesting INTERPOL’s intervention through a red notice for Ofori-Atta’s arrest and possible extradition.
Why Ofori-Atta is under scrutiny
The OSP is investigating Mr. Ofori-Atta in connection with five major financial and procurement-related issues, including:
- Petroleum & minerals revenue assurance – Related to a contract between strategic mobilisation Ghana Ltd and the GRA.
- Electricity Contract Termination – Concerning the cancelled ECG agreement with Beijing BXC.
- National Cathedral Project – Focused on procurement and payment irregularities.
- Ambulance Deal – Specifically, the Ministry of Health’s contract for 307 ambulances.
- GRA Tax P-Fund – Handling and disbursement of public tax funds.
Timeline of events leading to the fugitive label
January 2025: The OSP names Ofori-Atta a suspect and summons him for questioning by February 10.
- 31 January: His legal team cites medical treatment abroad as the reason for his absence.
- February 5: The OSP demands a return date and warns of legal consequences.
- February 10: He’s declared a fugitive for the first time.
- February 18: Lawyers offer a May return date; fugitive status temporarily lifted with a warning.
May 28: Lawyers say Ofori-Atta has surgery scheduled for June 13—less than a week to the reporting deadline—but no verifiable documents are provided.
OSP rejects delay tactics
Despite offers to appear via video conferencing and send scanned medical notes, the OSP rejected all forms of remote communication.
“This matter requires physical presence, not delay tactics,” the OSP asserted in its June 2 declaration.
Notably, no firm return date or credible medical documentation has been provided by Mr. Ofori-Atta’s team—further fueling the OSP’s suspicions of evasion.
- Legal and International Actions in Motion
Arrest warrant reissued - INTERPOL Red Notice initiated for global tracking and arrest
- Extradition request prepared for submission to the central authority
- Human Rights case ongoing: Mr. Ofori-Atta had earlier sued the OSP in March to remove the ‘wanted’ label, with the court set to hear the case on June 18, 2025.
The OSP stressed that illness is not a shield against justice, especially when unverified.
What’s next?
With INTERPOL now looped in, the situation has moved from domestic delay to international pursuit. The message from Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng is clear: “No one is above the law—and no one can outdistance accountability.”
