On June 6, 2025, Interpol issued a Red Notice for Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister, accused of using public office for personal gain. The 65-year-old, who served from 2017 to 2024 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), faces allegations tied to multiple high-profile corruption cases, including the misuse of $58 million in public funds for a stalled National Cathedral project. Here’s a breakdown of the situation.
Why the Red Notice?
Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), led by Kissi Agyebeng, declared Ofori-Atta a fugitive after he failed to appear for a June 2, 2025, investigative interview, citing medical treatment abroad. The OSP rejected his legal team’s offer for virtual participation, insisting on his physical presence. Agyebeng stated, “A suspect cannot dictate how investigations are conducted,” and triggered the Red Notice to locate and detain Ofori-Atta for extradition. The notice, not an arrest warrant, alerts global law enforcement to his status.
Allegations and Investigations
Ofori-Atta is under scrutiny for:
- National Cathedral Project: Alleged mismanagement of $58 million, leaving only a hole in the ground.
- Petroleum Revenue Contracts: Irregularities in deals with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited.
- Ambulance Procurement: Questionable contracts for 307 ambulances.
- Electricity Supply: Termination of a contract with Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology.
- GRA Tax P-Fund: Mishandling of funds.
These probes are part of President John Mahama’s Operation Recover All Loot, launched after his January 2025 inauguration, targeting over $20 billion in recoverable funds from 200+ corruption complaints. Critics, however, note Mahama’s administration has dropped cases against his allies.
Ofori-Atta’s Defense
Ofori-Atta’s lawyer, Frank Davies, called the fugitive label “condescending” and an infringement on his client’s rights, citing submitted medical records showing treatment in the U.S. for cancer. Davies argued the OSP ignored these in good faith. Ofori-Atta previously sued the OSP in March 2025, claiming unlawful treatment, with a Human Rights Court ruling pending on June 18.
Public and Political Divide
The case has sparked debate. Posts on X reflect polarized sentiment: some, like @samOAblakwa, demand extradition, alleging “indictable crimes,” while others, like @Citi973, question the OSP’s authority without a court order. The controversy tests Ghana’s anti-corruption resolve ahead of 2026 elections
What’s Next?
The OSP may charge Ofori-Atta in absentia if he doesn’t return. His exact location remains unclear, complicating extradition.
