Ex-Finance Minister Wanted for Corruption Cases
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in Ghana has confirmed a Supreme Court warrant for the arrest of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, issued on February 12, 2025. The OSP says Ofori-Atta failed to appear for questioning in multiple corruption cases, leading to his placement on INTERPOL’s Red Notice for global arrest.
Ofori-Atta is a suspect in five major cases, including shady deals tied to the National Cathedral project, a health ministry contract for 307 ambulances, and the handling of tax funds. The OSP secured the warrant after struggling to locate him, with claims that he’s abroad for medical reasons. A letter from his lawyers about a June 13 surgery was not officially sent to the OSP.
On June 7, 2025, OSP’s Samuel Darko clarified on JoyNews that the warrant was needed because Ofori-Atta was hard to find. The OSP rejected his team’s offer for a virtual interview, insisting he must appear in person. The warrant accuses him of using public office for personal gain, a serious charge that could lead to jail time.
Ofori-Atta’s legal team has fought back, filing lawsuits to stop the OSP from calling him a fugitive. They claim the label hurts his reputation and breaks Ghana’s laws on fair treatment. A court will rule on June 18, 2025, on whether the OSP’s actions are legal. The case has sparked heated debate, with some questioning the OSP’s methods.
The OSP stands firm, warning that if Ofori-Atta doesn’t cooperate, further steps like extradition will follow. The former minister’s absence, linked to prostate cancer treatment, remains unverified by the OSP, which says no official medical records were provided. The case continues to grip Ghana as investigations deepen.
Source: GhanaWeb