Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has once again been declared wanted by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) after failing to appear for scheduled questioning on Monday, June 2, 2025.
At a press briefing in Accra, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng revealed that Ofori-Atta’s legal representatives had informed the OSP of a recent cancer diagnosis, submitting documents that cited a rapid decline in his health.
The defense team requested that Ofori-Atta be allowed to deliver a caution statement virtually under the Electronic Transactions Act.
However, the OSP rejected the request, insisting that only a physical appearance would ensure the integrity and thoroughness of the investigation. “Legal representation cannot replace the suspect’s personal presence in a criminal probe,” Agyebeng stated.
Accusations and Absences
Ofori-Atta was initially declared a “fugitive from justice” in February 2025 after repeatedly ignoring summonses from the OSP. He is under investigation for alleged misconduct in several high-profile corruption cases, including:
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The controversial revenue assurance deal with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML)
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Unaccounted financial transactions related to the National Cathedral
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Questionable procurement and spending activities during his tenure from 2017 to 2024
He was temporarily removed from the wanted list on February 18, 2025, after his lawyers pledged he would return to face questioning by June 2. That deadline has now lapsed without compliance.
Red Notice in Motion
With Ofori-Atta once again in defiance of the OSP’s directives, the office has announced steps to renew its application for an INTERPOL Red Notice—an international alert enabling law enforcement across 196 member countries to locate and detain him.
Legal Pushback
Meanwhile, Ofori-Atta’s legal team has taken the matter to Ghana’s Human Rights Court, challenging the legality of the OSP’s actions. The former minister argues that being labeled “wanted” violates his constitutional rights and has requested the removal of related information from public platforms. The court is set to rule on the matter on June 18, 2025.
A Defining Legal Battle
The case is shaping up to be a landmark moment in Ghana’s anti-corruption campaign, raising questions about how far legal authorities can go in holding powerful former officials accountable.
In a resolute closing statement, the Special Prosecutor declared: “No one is above the law. The fight against corruption will not be compromised—no matter how high the stakes.”
Shortly after the press briefing, the OSP re-listed Ofori-Atta as wanted and posted his image across its digital platforms.
