Interpol has issued a Red Notice for Ghana’s former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta, following his designation as a fugitive from justice by Ghanaian prosecutors. The 65-year-old is wanted for allegedly using public office for personal gain and causing significant financial losses to the state.
Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister from January 2017 until February 2024 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, is accused of mismanagement and corruption involving large-scale government projects. One of the key allegations centers around the controversial national cathedral project, which has reportedly consumed $58 million of public funds but remains incomplete.
The former minister is currently said to be outside the country for medical treatment. Although he has not publicly addressed the specific charges, he has previously stated that he has been unlawfully treated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). In February, Ofori-Atta had appealed to be removed from the wanted list, assuring authorities of his return in May—a request which was initially granted.
However, after failing to appear before an investigative panel in early June, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng reinstated his wanted status and escalated the matter by requesting a Red Notice from Interpol. The notice, issued Thursday, formally seeks global law enforcement cooperation to locate and detain Ofori-Atta for possible extradition to Ghana.
“We want him here physically, and we insist on it,” Agyebeng stated, emphasizing that suspects cannot dictate the terms of criminal investigations.
The case is part of a broader anti-corruption initiative launched by President John Mahama, who took office in January after the NPP lost the December 2024 elections to the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Mahama’s administration has launched “Operation Recover All Loot,” a campaign aimed at retrieving over $20 billion in allegedly stolen funds. Despite the tough stance, critics argue Mahama has been lenient towards allies implicated in corruption.
The outcome of the Ofori-Atta case will be closely watched, as it signals Ghana’s commitment or lack thereof to holding powerful officials accountable and restoring public trust in governance.
