Accra, Ghana – The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has reignited its search for former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, declaring him a “wanted person” and initiating steps for international cooperation, including an INTERPOL Red Notice and extradition requests. This development follows Mr. Ofori-Atta’s failure to meet a May 28, 2025 deadline to appear before the OSP for questioning regarding several high-profile corruption investigations.
According to an update from the OSP, Mr. Ofori-Atta, aged 66, was initially named a suspect and summoned for February 10, 2025. His lawyers, however, claimed he was abroad for medical reasons and provided an unaddressed doctor’s note citing a March surgery without a confirmed return date. Consequently, the OSP declared him a fugitive from justice on February 12. Following an appeal from his legal team and a firm commitment for his return by May, his name was temporarily removed from the wanted list, with a warning of re-issuance if he failed to comply.
Despite this, on May 28, 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers informed the OSP that he could not meet the deadline due to another surgery scheduled for June 13, 2025. While offering to send a scan to confirm his illness, the OSP stated that no certified medical records or formal excuse were provided, nor was there a firm return date or confirmation regarding the alleged March surgery.
The OSP also rejected an offer for video conferencing, emphasizing that the matter requires his physical presence and cannot be addressed with what they perceive as “delay tactics.”
The former minister is wanted to answer charges in connection with five key investigations: the Strategic Mobilisation-GRA contract, the termination of the ECG-BXC contract, payments related to the National Cathedral, the Ambulance Procurement contract, and the utilization of the GRA Tax Refund Account.
In March 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta sued the OSP over his “wanted” status, demanding the removal of publications from social media. The Human Rights Court heard his plea to block future declarations by the OSP on March 28 and adjourned the case to June 18, 2025.
The OSP maintains that illness is not a shield from accountability unless it is medically certified as incapacitating. They are urging anyone with information on Mr. Ofori-Atta’s whereabouts, including possible locations in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Guyana, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands, to contact their office. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sankofaonline
