The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has issued a stern warning to Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, demanding he appear at its headquarters on Monday, June 2, 2025. OSP stressed that failure to comply would result in severe legal consequences, including reinstatement on the OSP’s wanted list.
In a statement dated Sunday, June 1, the OSP revealed that it will begin the process to issue an INTERPOL Red Notice if Mr. Ofori-Atta does not report. This could pave the way for his international arrest and extradition as a fugitive from justice.
The warning is tied to ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of office during Ofori-Atta’s time as Minister of Finance under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The former minister had previously shown what authorities termed “significant cooperation,” leading to the removal of his name from the wanted list.
The OSP’s investigations target five key areas during Mr. Ofori-Atta’s tenure. These include revenue assurance deals in the petroleum and minerals sectors involving Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the GRA. There is also scrutiny over the cancellation of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
Another focus is the controversial National Cathedral project, particularly its procurement processes and financial management. Additionally, the Ministry of Health’s ambulance procurement deal with Service Ghana Auto Group is under review. Finally, the OSP is investigating how funds from the GRA’s Tax P-Fund were handled and disbursed.
Back in January 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta was formally notified that he was a suspect in these cases. He was requested to appear in person on February 10, 2025. His legal team, however, claimed he was overseas indefinitely due to medical reasons and offered to represent him instead.
The OSP rejected the indefinite absence claim and insisted on a fixed return date. A doctor’s note was later submitted, indicating medical tests and possible surgery, but with no clear timeline for return.
As a result, the OSP declared him a fugitive from justice on February 12, 2025, and acted on an arrest warrant. A few days later, Mr. Ofori-Atta appealed to be taken off the wanted list and promised to return in May 2025, which led the OSP to drop his fugitive status.
In March, Mr. Ofori-Atta escalated the matter by filing a lawsuit against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor. He claimed his declaration as a wanted person was unlawful and demanded related posts be taken down from the OSP’s social media.
After a court hearing on March 28, the OSP maintained its position and issued a final directive, Ofori-Atta must report by June 2, 2025, or risk being declared wanted once more, this time with an INTERPOL Red Notice.
