The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially removed former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from its wanted list after he communicated a firm date for his voluntary return to Ghana.
In a statement dated February 18, the OSP explained that Mr. Ofori-Atta, through his lawyers, assured authorities of his intent to return to the country, marking a departure from his earlier stance of remaining abroad indefinitely.
“This marks a major shift from Mr. Ofori-Atta’s previous intention of remaining outside the jurisdiction indefinitely,” the statement read. The OSP further noted that it had considered his proposed return date reasonable and had, therefore, agreed to reschedule his appearance before the office.
As a result, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has adjusted Mr. Ofori-Atta’s expected attendance date at the OSP, aligning it with his planned return.
“Consequently, Mr. Ofori-Atta has been removed from the OSP’s list of wanted persons, and the OSP ceases to consider Mr. Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice pending his voluntary return to the jurisdiction circa his stated date,” the statement affirmed.
However, the OSP cautioned that failure to honor his commitment would lead to severe consequences.
“If Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to voluntarily return to the jurisdiction circa his stated date, and if Mr. Ofori-Atta fails to attend the OSP on the rescheduled date, he shall be re-entered on the OSP’s list of wanted persons, and the OSP shall then consider him a fugitive from justice, and the OSP shall take all necessary legal steps to secure his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP at our own choosing,” the statement warned.
The Special Prosecutor had declared Mr. Ofori-Atta wanted just last week, citing his involvement in financial transactions that allegedly caused losses to the state. These included:
- A contractual agreement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for revenue assurance in the petroleum and mineral sectors.
- The termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xhao Chen Technology BXC.
- Procurement and payments related to the National Cathedral project.
- A contract for the supply and maintenance of ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.
- Utilization of the Ghana Revenue Authority’s tax refund account.
The OSP had earlier shared an infographic on social media suggesting that Mr. Ofori-Atta was possibly in the United States or the United Kingdom, urging the public to provide any information on his whereabouts.
Now, with a commitment to return, the former minister is no longer classified as a fugitive—at least for now.
