Ofori-Atta listed on INTERPOL Red Notice

Former Finance Minister Wanted: INTERPOL Red Notic issued

Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former Minister of Finance, has officially been listed on INTERPOL’s Red Notice database. This development comes at the request of Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), intensifying an already controversial corruption investigation that spans both local and international jurisdictions.

The Red Notice, made public on June 6, 2025, identifies Ofori-Atta as a 65-year-old Ghanaian male, born on November 7, 1959, in Accra. He is described as 1.7 metres tall with black hair and black eyes, fluent in both English and Twi. He is wanted for “Using Public Office for Profit,” a charge linked to several ongoing high-profile corruption probes.

OSP: Renewed Push for Accountability

Speaking at a press briefing on June 2, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng confirmed his office had initiated the INTERPOL Red Notice request just 30 minutes before the announcement. He described the step as part of broader efforts to locate and provisionally arrest the former minister, who is believed to be in the United States receiving medical treatment.

This is the second time the OSP has moved to declare Ofori-Atta a fugitive. A previous declaration in February 2025 accused him of evading justice after failing to appear before the Special Prosecutor in relation to cases involving the controversial National Cathedral project and a revenue assurance deal with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).

Timeline: From Medical Leave to Red Notice

A timeline of events illustrates how tensions between Ofori-Atta and the OSP have escalated over the past six months:

• January 2025: Ofori-Atta is formally notified he is a suspect in five corruption-related cases.
• January 31: His lawyers respond, stating he is abroad indefinitely for medical treatment.
• February 5: OSP rejects the indefinite medical leave, demands a clear return date.
• February 10: A doctor’s note is submitted, but no timeline is given.
• February 12: Ofori-Atta is declared a fugitive from justice, and an arrest warrant is activated.
• February 18: After negotiations, he offers a return date in May; the OSP temporarily lifts the fugitive status.
• March 2025: Ofori-Atta sues the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, citing unlawful treatment.
• March 28: A Human Rights Court hears his application to restrain the OSP from future wanted notices.

Despite this legal resistance, the OSP has reactivated its pursuit, culminating in the INTERPOL listing—an unprecedented escalation in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts involving a top former government official.

Understanding the INTERPOL Red Notice

A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant but a powerful request for international cooperation. It notifies all INTERPOL’s 196 member countries that an individual is wanted, requesting location and provisional arrest, pending extradition or voluntary surrender.

Each request undergoes review to ensure it is not politically, racially, or religiously motivated. Once approved, the Red Notice is publicly distributed and contains essential identifying details and legal charges.

This listing now obliges law enforcement agencies in countries like the United States to actively assist in locating Ofori-Atta.

Impact on Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Campaign

Ken Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 to early 2024, was a central figure in President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration. Though he was praised for overseeing key economic policies, his tenure was also dogged by accusations of financial opacity and favoritism—accusations that have now culminated in formal investigations.

The INTERPOL listing signals the OSP’s determination to extend its reach beyond national borders, reinforcing the independence and tenacity of Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions under the leadership of Kissi Agyebeng.

Public reaction is mixed, with some viewing the move as a sign of progress, while others see political undercurrents in targeting a former high-ranking official. The outcome of the extradition process—should it proceed—will test the efficacy and impartiality of Ghana’s justice system.

With Ofori-Atta’s name reinstated on the OSP’s official wanted list, the international spotlight is now firmly on how Ghana and its global partners will navigate this legal maze. While the OSP has opened its doors to public tips and whistleblower information, the clock is ticking on whether Ken Ofori-Atta will surrender voluntarily or face extradition.

Regardless of the legal trajectory, one thing is clear: Ghana’s fight against corruption has entered a bold new phase—one with global consequences.