The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has placed former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta back on its list of wanted individuals following his failure to appear before the office for an ongoing investigation into alleged financial losses to the state.
Despite earlier assurances that he would report for questioning on June 2, Mr. Ofori-Atta did not show up, prompting the OSP to announce that it has now triggered processes for an INTERPOL Red Notice to track his location and initiate extradition procedures if necessary.
Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team had requested that the session be held virtually, citing his current medical condition and treatment in the United States. The team submitted medical documentation, including a report indicating that the former minister is expected to undergo a surgical procedure later this month due to cancer.
However, the OSP has rejected the request, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the explanation and accusing Mr. Ofori-Atta of acting in bad faith.
“We will not countenance such conduct, not in this case or any other. The OSP has declined its invitation to view his biopsy report as we consider it a pointless exercise. This is because it is common learning that the biopsy report contains nothing more than a conclusion upon the removal and examination of tissue, cell or fluids from a living body that some disease was indicated in the sample taken. A biopsy report is not an expression of a reasoned medical that the subject of the report is an invalid and is unable to travel, as Mr Ofori-Atta seeks to suggest is his condition and for which reason he says he cannot return to the jurisdiction,” the Special Prosecutor stated.
“Mr Ofori-Atta has failed to show any medical report which suggest that he is a travel risk and unable to return to the jurisdiction….. the OSP views Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyers 28th May, 2025, as an expression of utter bad faith on the part of Mr Ofori-Atta….he has no intention of voluntarily returning to the jurisdiction and to attend the OSP.”
Mr. Ofori-Atta had previously assured the OSP of his cooperation, leading the office to temporarily remove his name from the wanted list in March. But the OSP now says that it was never informed of any change in the former minister’s medical status, contrary to claims reportedly made before the Human Rights Court.
“This office is unaware of his purported information to the court, whether orally or by file processes of the alleged change in his circumstance. We will no longer accommodate him. The OSP redeclares that Mr Ofori-Atta is a wanted person and fugitive from justice. His name is hereby recentered on the list of wanted persons. I triggered processes for the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice for the location and provisional arrest of Mr Ofori-Atta, including extradition or his surrender,” Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated during a press briefing.
The investigation concerns a number of high-profile transactions, including:
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The contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority aimed at enhancing revenue assurance in the petroleum and mineral resource sectors.
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The termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xhao Chen Technology BXC for a distribution and loss-reduction project.
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Procurement and financial activities related to the National Cathedral project.
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A contract awarded to Ghana Auto Group Limited for the supply and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz ambulances initially handled by the Ministry for Special Development Initiative.
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The use and disbursement of funds from the Ghana Revenue Authority’s tax refund account.
The OSP first declared Ofori-Atta wanted in February, but following submissions from his legal representatives regarding his medical treatment abroad, he was temporarily removed from the wanted list.
The former minister has since filed a legal challenge, asking the Human Rights Court to restrain the OSP from re-declaring him wanted. He argues that the allegations against him lack merit and that his absence is purely health-related. He is seeking a court injunction to prevent what he describes as unwarranted reputational harm.
The court has scheduled June 18 for a ruling on the motion filed by his legal team.
