Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who is currently on an Interpol Red Notice following a request by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has been sighted in Washington, D.C., USA, despite being declared a fugitive from justice.
Mr Ofori-Atta, who served under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is wanted by the OSP for allegedly using public office for profit and is under investigation in connection with multiple high-profile corruption-related cases.
The OSP, led by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, re-declared the former minister a fugitive in June 2025 after he failed to appear for an investigative interview scheduled for June 2, 2025. Mr Agyebeng subsequently initiated an Interpol Red Notice to facilitate his extradition to Ghana.
At a June press briefing, the Special Prosecutor expressed frustration over what he described as Mr Ofori-Atta’s deliberate attempts to evade justice:
“A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations and the methods suitable to him and his convenience. We will not countenance this conduct, not in this case,” he said.
The OSP is probing Mr Ofori-Atta over five major matters during his tenure:
- Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance – Contractual dealings between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
- Electricity Company Contract Termination – The cancellation of a contract between ECG and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
- National Cathedral Project – Procurement processes and financial transactions linked to the project.
- Ambulance Procurement – A Ministry of Health deal with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for 307 ambulances.
- GRA Tax P-Fund Management – The management and disbursement of funds from the GRA’s Tax P-Fund Account.
Timeline of Events
- January 2025: OSP formally notifies Mr Ofori-Atta he is a suspect and summons him for questioning.
- February 10, 2025: Lawyers present a doctor’s note citing indefinite medical treatment abroad.
- February 12, 2025: OSP declares him a fugitive and secures an arrest warrant.
- February 18, 2025: Mr Ofori-Atta appeals, pledges to return in May, and his name is temporarily removed from the wanted list.
- March 2025: He sues the OSP, challenging his fugitive status and seeking compensation.
- March 28, 2025: Court hears interim application barring OSP from re-listing him.
- June 2, 2025: He fails to appear before the OSP as ordered; his name is re-added to the wanted list.
- June 2025: OSP formally requests an Interpol Red Notice.
Despite his fugitive status, reports have confirmed that Ken Ofori-Atta was recently seen in Washington, D.C. The circumstances of his stay in the U.S. remain unclear, but the sighting has raised fresh questions about the progress of Ghana’s extradition request through Interpol.
The OSP has not yet commented on his presence in Washington.
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