From finance minister to outlaw: Ghana's Ofori-Atta declared wanted again
Ken Ofori-Atta, former Minister of Finance for Ghana, is declared wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The action follows his failure to attend interrogation about alleged mismanagement during his term.
Ofori-Atta previously played a key role in Ghana's IMF negotiations during a financial crisis but faced criticism for fiscal policies.
The reissued warrant is related to continuing investigations into potential wrongdoing during his tenure, namely, payments made for contentious projects.
This recent action represents a substantial shift from events in February 2025, when the OSP officially removed Ofori-Atta from its wanted list.
That decision came after his legal team submitted written assurances of his return to Ghana and cooperation with authorities, momentarily calming tensions between the ex-minister and anti-corruption investigators.
However, the former finance chief's inability to attend a scheduled grilling this week has revived the controversy.
According to the OSP, Ofori-Atta's new status as a "wanted individual and fugitive from justice" derives from his failure to provide a plausible schedule for his return or response to summons, despite being legally identified as a suspect in various corruption and procurement-related investigations.
'It is more than three hours past the scheduled time for Mr. Ofori-Atta's appearance,' Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said.
'Consequently, the Office of the Special Prosecutor declares that Mr. Ofori-Atta is a wanted person and a fugitive from justice,' Agyebeng added.
The special prosecutor also added that he initiated the procedure for issuing an Interpol red alert for Ofori-Atta's arrest and extradition to Ghana, as seen on Bloomberg.
The basis for Ken Ofori-Atta's call for arrest
The investigation revolves around claims of funding for Ghana's contentious National Cathedral project, the buying of ambulance replacement parts, and other dubious spending.
The OSP suspects Ofori-Atta of misusing public funds and engaging in procedural irregularities during his tenure as finance minister.
Ofori-Atta, Ghana's finance minister until his removal in mid-February 2024, had long faced public and legislative criticism.
His handling of the economy amid a moment of unprecedented financial turmoil garnered increasing criticism from both the opposition and members of his own New Patriotic Party.
In October 2022, over 80 NPP MPs sought his resignation, followed by similar requests from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in February 2023.
Despite this, President Nana Akufo-Addo supported him until early 2024, when he was eventually removed by Mohammed Amin Adam, then Minister of State at the Finance Ministry.
During Ofori-Atta's term, Ghana entered negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to resolve a deteriorating financial crisis.
In May 2023, the IMF authorized a $3 billion, three-year loan under its Extended Credit Facility program, offering immediate respite and a potential lifeline to the struggling economy.
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