Interpol Flags Former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as Wanted Again
Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former Finance Minister, has been officially marked as a wanted individual by Interpol. This action follows renewed efforts by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to secure his appearance in an ongoing corruption investigation.
The OSP issued a public statement on June 2, 2025, confirming that Mr. Ofori-Atta had failed to show up for a scheduled interrogation. As a result, the office moved forward with efforts to place him under an Interpol Red Notice—an international request for law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest an individual for extradition.
The notice now appears on Interpol’s website, listing “using public office for profit” as the primary charge.
The Special Prosecutor emphasized during a press conference that legal action is being coordinated with global partners to facilitate Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return to Ghana. Once extradited, he will be expected to respond to serious allegations involving misuse of public funds and procedural misconduct during his time in office.
This isn’t the first time Ofori-Atta has come under legal scrutiny. In early 2025, he was named a suspect in multiple investigations but avoided arrest by claiming to be abroad for medical treatment. After indicating willingness to cooperate and return at a later date, the OSP temporarily withdrew his fugitive status. However, his failure to report for questioning as promised has prompted the office to revive the search.
At the heart of the investigation are five major cases:
1. Revenue Assurance in Petroleum and Minerals: Questions have arisen over a contract between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority, specifically regarding revenue tracking and oversight mechanisms.
2. Termination of ECG-BXC Contract: The abrupt cancellation of a deal between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Chinese firm Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology is being probed for potential financial and legal irregularities.
3. National Cathedral Spending: The financing and procurement process for the controversial National Cathedral project continues to draw attention, with investigators examining whether standard procedures were bypassed.
4. Ambulance Procurement Deal: A Ministry of Health contract involving over 300 ambulances is under review. Authorities are investigating concerns about contract transparency and cost justification.
5. GRA’s Tax Policy Fund Disbursements: The use of funds from the GRA’s Tax P-Fund is also under examination, amid claims of mismanagement and improper allocation.
The OSP insists that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s personal presence is essential for the inquiries, stating that criminal investigations of this nature cannot proceed through legal proxies alone.
With his name now officially linked to an international arrest warrant, the former finance minister faces the real possibility of being apprehended abroad and returned to Ghana. This marks a major escalation in the country’s push to tackle high-level corruption and enforce accountability in public service.
Observers note that how this case unfolds could significantly shape public confidence in Ghana’s justice system and efforts to uphold the rule of law.
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