Ofori-Atta declared wanted as health excuse fails to satisfy OSP

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has once again declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted person, effective June 2, 2025.

This decisive action comes as a result of his failure to personally appear at the OSP headquarters by the stipulated deadline, violating a prior agreement that had temporarily removed him from the wanted list.

Mr. Ofori-Atta was initially listed as a ‘fugitive from legal sanctions’ by the OSP in February 2025 due to his repeated failure to comply with subpoenas and to answer questions regarding multiple corruption allegations. These investigations include his contracts with Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (SML) concerning revenue guarantees, issues related to the National Cathedral project, and other financial transactions during his tenure as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024.

On February 18, 2025, his name was removed from the wanted list after his legal team provided an exact date for his voluntary return and appearance before the OSP—today, June 2, 2025. At that time, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng sternly warned that failure to fulfill this commitment would result in the immediate reinstatement of his wanted status and the initiation of an Interpol Red Notice to ensure his international arrest and extradition.

As of Monday evening, June 2, 2025, Ofori-Atta has not reported to the OSP. Sources close to the former minister’s legal team, including Frank Davis, confirmed earlier today that he was unable to appear due to an ‘unexpected deterioration in health.’ His lawyers are said to have informed the OSP and the Human Rights Court of this development and provided relevant medical reports. They also stated that he is willing to provide his cautious statement through a virtual interview, utilizing provisions in the Electronic Transactions Act.