Why Ghana is pursuing its former finance minister
Ghana’s former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been placed on INTERPOL’s Red Notice list following a renewed request by the country’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The notice, made public on June 6, is part of a broader investigation into alleged corruption linked to major public projects during his tenure.
Ofori-Atta, 65, is wanted on charges of “Using Public Office for Profit.” The Red Notice, which requests the provisional arrest of Ofori-Atta pending extradition or surrender, signals international collaboration in tackling corruption. The former minister is believed to be in the United States, receiving medical treatment
This development contributes to Ghana's initiatives aimed at ensuring accountability for public officials involved in significant corruption cases, including the stalled National Cathedral project initiated in 2017 during former president Nana Akufo-Addo's administration.
The cathedral project aimed to establish a sacred space and infrastructure of the highest calibre for the country's formal religious activities. However, the government at the time reportedly invested over $58 million of taxpayers' funds in the project, amid allegations of financial impropriety.
In February, Ofori-Atta was declared a “fugitive from justice” by the OSP for his involvement in the cathedral project, among other high-profile cases.
The OSP formally initiated the INTERPOL Red Notice just before its public announcement on June 2.
“I triggered processes for the issuance of an INTERPOL red notice for the location and provisional arrest of Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta in whichever jurisdiction, pending extradition or his surrender,” special prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said.
Amid internal efforts to address corruption, Ghana's President John Mahama has stated that his administration "won't interfere with corruption cases," and will seek to maintain the independence of the country's anti-corruption agencies.
"I will not interfere in their work... attempt to influence them to drop investigations, including those involving officials from the previous administration," he added.
