OSP reinstates 'Wanted' status for Ken Ofori-Atta over missed appearance

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has once again found himself the subject of a wanted declaration by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), after failing to honour a scheduled appearance before investigators on Monday, June 2, 2025.

This marks a significant reversal for Ofori-Atta, who had previously been removed from the OSP's wanted list following assurances by his legal representatives that he would report in person by the specified date. The declaration now renews his status as a fugitive, a label first applied in February 2025 when he repeatedly failed to respond to official summonses tied to multiple corruption probes.

The investigations concern a range of financial controversies during his time as Finance Minister between 2017 and 2024. These include procurement arrangements with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), matters relating to the troubled National Cathedral project, and other fiscal decisions under his watch.

On February 18, 2025, the OSP temporarily lifted the wanted declaration after Ofori-Atta’s legal team pledged his cooperation, specifying June 2 as the agreed date for his voluntary return. However, when the date arrived, the former minister failed to show up.

Legal sources close to the matter, including his lawyer Frank Davies, explained that a sudden decline in Ofori-Atta’s health had rendered him unfit to appear in person. They submitted medical documentation to both the OSP and the Human Rights Court, along with a request for him to participate in the interrogation virtually, citing the Electronic Transactions Act as the legal basis.

Despite these efforts, the OSP dismissed the request, reaffirming its position that criminal suspects must be physically present for interrogations and that legal counsel cannot replace personal attendance during such proceedings. This stance echoes the OSP’s rejection of similar arguments earlier this year.

Now reclassified as a wanted person, Mr. Ofori-Atta could potentially face international arrest if the Special Prosecutor moves to trigger an INTERPOL Red Notice. Such a move would limit his freedom of movement across all 196 INTERPOL member states.

This escalation unfolds as the Human Rights Court prepares to rule on a case filed by Ofori-Atta, challenging the legality of the initial declaration and demanding the removal of related notices from the OSP’s social media accounts. That judgment is set for June 18, 2025.

In its renewed action, the OSP has signaled that it remains resolute in its pursuit of accountability, sending a clear message that no officeholder will be shielded from scrutiny in matters involving alleged corruption.