Ken Ofori-Atta declared wanted by OSP

A return to wanted status

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has once again declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted individual, effective Monday, June 2, 2025. This follows his failure to honor an agreement to appear in person for questioning by the OSP, reigniting a saga that has gripped the nation since early this year.

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, had previously removed Ofori-Atta from the wanted list in February 2025 after his legal team committed to a June 2 appearance. That promise now lies in tatters, prompting swift reinstatement of the wanted status.

A pattern of evasion

Mr Ofori-Atta was first declared a fugitive from justice in February 2025 over his refusal to comply with multiple summonses. The OSP is probing his alleged involvement in several high-stakes corruption cases—including controversial contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), financial irregularities tied to the National Cathedral project, and other questionable transactions during his 2017–2024 tenure as Finance Minister.

His legal team managed to negotiate a temporary reprieve, arguing that he would voluntarily present himself to the OSP by today’s deadline. But with his absence, the case has escalated significantly.

Health or evasion? Legal team responds

Sources close to the former minister’s legal counsel, including prominent lawyer Frank Davies, say that Ofori-Atta’s absence is due to an “unexpected deterioration in his health condition.” Medical reports were reportedly submitted to both the OSP and the Human Rights Court in support of this claim.

In an effort to show cooperation, his legal team proposed a virtual interview under the Electronic Transactions Act—a compromise the OSP has already rejected in the past. The office maintains that physical presence is non-negotiable in criminal investigations of this nature.

International implications loom

The immediate reinstatement of Mr Ofori-Atta to the wanted list opens the door to more aggressive action. The OSP has indicated it will now pursue an INTERPOL Red Notice—a move that would allow authorities across 196 countries to arrest and extradite him to Ghana.

This escalation could severely restrict Ofori-Atta’s international mobility and signal the start of a prolonged legal and diplomatic standoff.

Court challenge and public interest

Parallel to these developments is a pending case at the Human Rights Court, where Ofori-Atta is challenging the legality of his initial declaration as wanted. He is also seeking the removal of the OSP’s public notices about him from its social media platforms. A ruling in this case is expected on June 18, 2025.

The OSP’s move raises critical legal and constitutional questions about the balance between prosecutorial power and individual rights. It also tests the integrity of Ghana’s anti-corruption infrastructure.

The bigger picture

The decision to declare Ken Ofori-Atta wanted once more sends a clear message: the Special Prosecutor’s office intends to hold public officials accountable, regardless of their past stature or ongoing legal maneuvers.

As the nation waits for the next chapter in this unfolding drama, one thing is clear—this case has become a litmus test for the strength of Ghana’s justice system in the fight against corruption.