Former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta Declared A Fugitive

Ghana’s former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been declared a fugitive by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) after failing to appear for questioning in multiple corruption investigations.

Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng announced that Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister from 2017 to early 2024, has refused to cooperate with the OSP’s probe into alleged financial mismanagement and corruption under the previous administration.

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“Ofori-Atta is a fugitive from justice. All necessary steps will be taken to bring him back,” Agyebeng stated during a press briefing on February 12, 2025.

His legal team insists that he is out of the country for medical reasons, but prosecutors remain skeptical.

“Ofori-Atta is a fugitive from justice. All necessary steps will be taken to bring him back,” Agyebeng

Allegations Against Ofori-Atta

The OSP is investigating Ofori-Atta for suspected financial misconduct in several controversial government contracts, including:

• Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) & GRA contract – A deal between SML and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) aimed at improving revenue assurance in the petroleum and minerals sector.
• Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) & Beijing Jao contract – The termination of a loss reduction and network improvement project with Beijing Technology Limited.
• National Cathedral procurement – Alleged financial irregularities in the allocation of funds for Ghana’s National Cathedral project, which remains incomplete despite a reported expenditure of $58 million.
• Ministry of Health ambulance contracts – The procurement of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulances under Service Ghana Auto Group Limited.
• GRA’s tax refund payments – Investigations into the disbursement and management of tax refunds by the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Despite multiple invitations, Ofori-Atta has failed to appear for questioning, prompting the OSP to issue a wanted notice.

Disputed Medical Excuse

Ofori-Atta’s legal team has provided a letter from a foreign doctor stating that he is undergoing medical evaluation and treatment. However, Agyebeng has questioned the credibility of the excuse, saying that the former minister has provided no verifiable proof that he is too ill to return to Ghana.

“The OSP will take all necessary steps to bring the former finance minister to justice,” Agyebeng said.

Raid on Ofori-Atta’s Residence

Reports surfaced that armed men in military uniforms raided Ofori-Atta’s residence in Cantonments on February 11. The OSP, however, denied any involvement.

“Ofori-Atta, the OSP did not raid your house. Any such operation would have been conducted transparently. This is either a staged event or an attempt to derail investigations,” Agyebeng said.

The incident has raised questions about whether external forces are attempting to manipulate the case against the former minister.

Mahama’s Anti-Corruption Drive

The move against Ofori-Atta comes as President John Mahama’s administration intensifies its anti-corruption campaign, Operation Recover All Loot.

The initiative aims to recover public funds lost through alleged corruption and mismanagement, with the government claiming to have identified over $20 billion in potential recoverable assets.

“Ghana will no longer be a safe haven for corruption,” Mahama stated, directing the attorney general and justice minister to pursue cases against individuals accused of misappropriating state funds.

While some have welcomed the crackdown, critics have accused the government of selective justice, pointing out that cases against some former Mahama allies have been quietly dropped.

“Ghana will no longer be a safe haven for corruption,” Mahama

Legal Debate Over OSP’s Powers

The OSP’s decision to publicly declare Ofori-Atta a fugitive has sparked legal debate, with some questioning whether the Special Prosecutor has the authority to do so without a court warrant.

Former Director General of the Ghana School of Law, Dr. Kwaku Ansah Asare, criticised Agyebeng’s handling of the case.

“Where was the Special Prosecutor when people were raising concerns about the National Cathedral? This looks like political theatre,” he said in an interview.

Lawyer and NPP MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah also questioned the legal basis of the declaration.

“What power does the Special Prosecutor have to declare him wanted without a court order? Ghana is governed by the rule of law, and due process must be followed,” he argued.

However, some legal experts have defended Agyebeng’s actions.

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu said that Ofori-Atta should have been pursued much earlier.

“Some of these allegations, particularly related to single-sourced contracts, are not complex. Why did the OSP wait this long?” he asked.

The OSP’s Head of Communications and Strategy, Sammy Darko, defended the move, arguing that the office has full legal authority to act as it did.

“The OSP exercises full police powers under Section 28 of the OSP Act. The law allows the Special Prosecutor to arrest suspects without a warrant,” Darko explained.

What Happens Next?

With Ofori-Atta officially declared a fugitive, Ghana’s government may now seek international cooperation to facilitate his return. If he remains abroad indefinitely, the case could become a test of the Mahama government’s commitment to fairness and transparency in its anti-corruption drive.

The Special Prosecutor has made it clear that efforts to bring Ofori-Atta to justice will continue. Whether that happens will depend on legal and diplomatic maneuvers in the weeks ahead.