INTERPOL Red Notice Issued for Former Finance Minister of Ghana Over Corruption Allegations

Ghana’s former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been placed on INTERPOL’s Red Notice list, intensifying efforts by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to hold him accountable for alleged corruption during his tenure.

The 65-year-old, who served from 2017 until early 2024 under President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, is wanted on charges of “using public office for profit”. The Red Notice was made public on 5 June 2025, calling on global law enforcement to locate and provisionally detain him, pending extradition.

Unfolding Allegations

Ofori-Atta is being investigated in connection with several high-profile corruption cases, including a controversial revenue assurance deal with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) and the stalled National Cathedral project, which consumed $58 million in public funds but remains unfinished.

Ghana’s Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, confirmed during a press briefing that the Red Notice request had been initiated just 30 minutes prior to his 2 June address. He accused the former minister of evading justice by failing to appear for questioning and of attempting to dictate the terms of the investigation.

“We will not countenance this conduct. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its work,” Agyebeng said.

Legal Battle and Timeline

The case against Ofori-Atta has evolved over several months:

• January 2025: Ofori-Atta was formally informed of five corruption-related investigations.

• February: He failed to appear, citing medical treatment abroad. His legal team submitted documents and offered to represent him in absentia.

• 12 February: Declared a fugitive by the OSP; a domestic arrest warrant was issued.

• 18 February: Following a formal appeal and a promised return in May, his name was removed from the wanted list.

• March: Ofori-Atta sued the OSP, claiming unlawful treatment and requested content removal from official platforms.

• June: After failing to appear once again, the OSP reinstated his wanted status and triggered the INTERPOL alert.

Frank Davies, Ofori-Atta’s legal representative, has criticised the OSP’s approach, stating the office has ignored medical records provided in good faith.

“The special prosecutor is not being sensitive to the issues at hand, especially knowing that Mr Ofori-Atta is unwell and receiving treatment,” Davies told AFP.

Red Notice Explained

An INTERPOL Red Notice is not an arrest warrant but a tool for global police cooperation. It alerts 196 member states to locate and provisionally arrest a suspect pending legal extradition. INTERPOL ensures that all notices comply with international standards, excluding cases based on political, religious, or racial motives.

Ofori-Atta’s profile lists his birthdate, physical description, and language proficiency—English and Twi—and confirms he is sought on charges of financial misconduct related to public office.

A Broader Anti-Corruption Push

The case forms part of President John Mahama’s sweeping anti-corruption initiative, Operation Recover All Loot, which was launched upon his inauguration in January 2025. The taskforce has received over 200 corruption complaints, potentially involving more than $20 billion in recoverable assets.

Mahama has directed the Attorney General to pursue justice without fear or favour, stating, “Ghana shall no longer be a safe haven for corruption.” However, some critics have questioned his commitment, citing a lack of prosecutions involving former allies.

Ghana shall no longer be a safe haven for corruption.

The Attorney General’s office is currently pursuing 33 corruption cases against officials from the previous administration.

Pan-African Context

This development adds Ghana to a growing list of African nations taking bold steps to confront high-level corruption through legal and institutional mechanisms. It also serves as a reminder of the challenges of transnational accountability in a globalised political economy, where fugitive officials often exploit medical and legal grey areas to avoid prosecution.

In an era where Pan-African unity must be grounded in transparency and mutual accountability, the Red Notice against Ofori-Atta represents a strong stance by Ghanaian institutions against impunity.

Whether this case will result in extradition remains uncertain, but the move signals Ghana’s commitment to rebuilding public trust and strengthening democratic governance through the rule of law.