OSP threatens INTERPOL Red Alert if Ofori-Atta fails to appear Monday
Ultimatum issued: A final call to report
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has thrown down the gauntlet in Ghana’s most closely-watched corruption case. In a stern statement issued on Sunday, June 1, 2025, the OSP gave former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta just one day—until Monday, June 2—to report in person to its headquarters. The consequences of non-compliance are severe: reinstatement on Ghana’s wanted persons list, a formal declaration as a fugitive, and a request for an INTERPOL Red Notice—essentially an international arrest warrant.
The directive represents a dramatic escalation in a case that has already seen months of legal wrangling, public speculation, and international attention.
Red notice threat: From local probe to global pursuit
The OSP’s threat to seek an INTERPOL Red Notice would place Mr. Ofori-Atta in the crosshairs of a global policing network. If issued, the notice will be circulated to all 196 INTERPOL member states, enabling local law enforcement in any country to detain him for possible extradition.
Such a move would not only tighten the legal net around the former minister but also publicly brand him as an international fugitive—an unprecedented twist in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts.
The cases: 5 Major allegations under the microscope
At the heart of the investigation are five high-profile financial and procurement scandals that occurred during Ofori-Atta’s time as Finance Minister:
- Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance:
Questions over the legitimacy and terms of contracts between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). - Electricity Company Contract Termination:
The controversial cancellation of a deal between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Chinese tech firm BXC. - National Cathedral Project:
Scrutiny of procurement processes and large sums funneled into the construction of the National Cathedral. - Ambulance Procurement:
Alleged irregularities in a contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for 307 ambulances. - GRA Tax P-Fund Management:
Concerns surrounding the handling and disbursement of funds from the GRA’s Tax P-Fund Account.
Each allegation touches on significant public spending and governance issues, fueling widespread calls for accountability.
Timeline: A tense standoff unfolds
- January 2025: The OSP names Ofori-Atta as a suspect and calls for a February 10 appearance.
- 31 January: His legal team cites indefinite overseas medical treatment as the reason for non-compliance.
- 5–12 February: The OSP rejects the claim, finds the medical note insufficient, and declares him a fugitive.
- 18 February: After providing a definitive May return date, Ofori-Atta is removed from the wanted list.
- March 2025: He sues the OSP, alleging rights violations and reputational damage.
- 28 March: A Human Rights Court hears his plea to prevent any future ‘wanted’ declarations.
Now, the clock ticks down to June 2.
The legal face-off: Rights, reputations, and responsibility
Ofori-Atta’s legal challenge against the OSP in March 2025 marked a turning point. He argued that the declaration of him as wanted was unconstitutional, and sought both compensation and a removal of all related public notices. While a Human Rights Court heard an interim application, no definitive ruling has emerged. The OSP, for its part, has maintained it acted lawfully and within its anti-corruption mandate.
The face-off pits individual rights against institutional authority—and has stirred a broader national conversation about how justice is pursued in high-level corruption cases.
What happens next: A nation holds its breath
As of now, all eyes are on Monday, June 2, 2025. If Ken Ofori-Atta fails to appear, the consequences will be immediate and far-reaching:
- His name will be re-added to Ghana’s wanted list.
- He will be officially declared a fugitive from justice.
- The OSP will initiate a formal request for an INTERPOL Red Notice.
Such a notice would drastically alter Ofori-Atta’s legal and personal freedom, while also signaling Ghana’s willingness to escalate domestic corruption cases onto the global stage.
Broader implications: A test for Ghana’s anti-graft machinery
This case is more than a legal drama; it is a litmus test for Ghana’s commitment to fighting corruption at the highest levels. The OSP’s resolve to hold a former top official accountable—even threatening international measures—has sent ripples through political and civil society circles.
If the deadline passes without compliance, it may mark a new chapter in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts: one in which evasion is met not just with domestic consequences, but international ramifications.
