Former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, who has been placed on an Interpol Red Notice by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has been sighted in Washington DC, USA.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is wanted by the OSP over allegations of using public office for profit. In June 2025, the OSP reclassified him as a fugitive after he failed to honour an invitation for an investigative interview scheduled for June 2, 2025. Following this, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng initiated processes for both extradition and an Interpol Red Notice to compel his return to Ghana.
At a June 2 press briefing, Mr. Agyebeng detailed months of unsuccessful attempts to secure the former minister’s personal attendance despite repeated notifications that he was under investigation. He stressed that the OSP would not accept statements in absentia.
“A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its work. We want him here physically, and we insist on it,” Mr. Agyebeng stated.
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The OSP is probing Mr. Ofori-Atta in five major cases linked to his tenure as Finance Minister under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. These include:
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Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance: Contractual dealings between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
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ECG Contract Termination: The cancellation of a deal between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
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National Cathedral Project: Procurement processes and financing.
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Ambulance Procurement: A Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for 307 ambulances.
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GRA Tax P-Fund Management: Handling and disbursement of funds from the Tax P-Fund Account.
The OSP officially informed Mr. Ofori-Atta in January 2025 that he was a suspect in these cases and directed him to appear in person on February 10, 2025. His lawyers responded that he was abroad indefinitely for medical reasons and sought to represent him, but the OSP rejected the request, stressing that criminal suspects must appear personally.
Despite assurances that he would return by May 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta failed to report. The OSP subsequently reinstated him on its wanted list and pursued an Interpol Red Notice.
In March 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit against the OSP, describing his earlier designation as “wanted” as unlawful, and sought compensation as well as the removal of related publications. However, after missing the June deadline to appear before investigators, he was once again declared a fugitive.
With his appearance in Washington DC, questions are likely to intensify over Ghana’s efforts to secure his extradition and bring closure to one of the country’s most high-profile corruption investigations.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem