Ghana’s Ex-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s Unending Trial

Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted fugitive, marking a dramatic reversal of his status just months after being removed from a wanted list.

The OSP announced the decision Monday via its X page, stating an arrest warrant has been issued. The warrant follows ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct during Ofori-Atta’s tenure, including potentially illegal payments for contentious projects. The immediate trigger, however, was his failure to appear for scheduled questioning earlier in the day.

“It is more than three hours past the scheduled time for Mr. Ofori-Atta’s appearance,” Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated. “Consequently, the Office of the Special Prosecutor declares that Mr. Ofori-Atta is a wanted person and a fugitive from justice.”

Wanted person pic.twitter.com/MenPh9Soe9

— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) June 2, 2025

This action starkly contrasts with the  OSP’s formal removal of  Ofori-Atta from its wanted list in February. That decision followed written assurances from his legal team guaranteeing his return to Ghana and cooperation with investigators. The OSP now asserts Ofori-Atta failed to provide a credible schedule for his return or respond to summons, despite being formally identified as a suspect in multiple corruption and procurement-related probes.

Agyebeng confirmed initiating procedures for an Interpol Red Notice to secure Ofori-Atta’s arrest and extradition. The OSP specifically named several jurisdictions where individuals should be vigilant: the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Cayman Islands, Guyana, and Hong Kong.

The investigations center on serious allegations during Ofori-Atta’s time as Finance Minister (until his removal in February 2024), including: the alleged misuse of public funds for Ghana’s controversial National Cathedral project, questionable procurement processes related to ambulance replacement parts, and broader accusations of financial mismanagement and procedural irregularities in high-profile expenditures.

Ofori-Atta’s tenure was marked by intense criticism as Ghana grappled with a severe economic crisis. His handling of the economy drew fire from both the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and members of his own New Patriotic Party (NPP). Over 80 NPP MPs demanded his resignation as early as October 2022, followed by similar calls from the NDC in February 2023.

Despite staunch backing from then-President Nana Akufo-Addo for over a year, mounting pressure led to Ofori-Atta’s eventual dismissal in February 2024and he was replaced by Mohammed Amin Adam.

During his final years in office, Ghana entered negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address its spiraling debt crisis. In May 2023, the IMF approved a crucial $3 billion, a three-year loan under its Extended Credit Facility, providing immediate economic relief. Ofori-Atta played a central role in the complex debt restructuring efforts required by the IMF deal.

However, critics consistently accused him of failing to control government spending and lacking transparency, particularly regarding projects like the scandal-plagued National Cathedral, even as he sought international financial assistance.

The OSP’s declaration of Ofori-Atta as a wanted fugitive escalates the former minister’s legal challenges. It throws a renewed spotlight on allegations of corruption during a critical period in Ghana’s recent economic history.