The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a fugitive.
This announcement comes a day after armed men in military uniforms raided Ofori-Atta’s residence on Tuesday afternoon. The former minister was reportedly out of the country at the time, said to be on a medical trip to the United States.
The OSP had earlier summoned Ofori-Atta to appear before investigators regarding alleged financial misconduct. His lawyers had assured authorities of his willingness to cooperate upon his return.
However, addressing the press in Accra on Wednesday, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng declared him wanted, insisting that he is now a fugitive.
Agyebeng outlined:”1.Contractual arrangements between strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the GRA for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production and minerals and metals resources value chain.2. Termination of a distribution loss reduction and associated network improvement project contract between ECG and Beijing Technology (BXC).3. Procurement of contractors and materials and activities and payments in respect of the national cathedral project.
“4. Activities and payments in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health initially commenced by the ministry of special developments initiatives to service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchases and after sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes benz sprinter ambulances for the national ambulance service and 5. payments out of and utilisatiion of the tax refund account of GRA.”
He further noted that “The fugitive’s name is Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori Atta. Mr Ofori-Atta is 66 years old. He was the minister of Finance of the republic between 2017 and 2024. Mr Ofori-Atta left the jurisdiction on or around 2 January 2025.On 24th January 2025, the OSP communicated to Mr Ofori-Atta that OSP considered him suspect in respect to four of the cases above. Mr Ofori-Atta was asked to attend in person on Monday 10th February 2025 at 10GMT by interview…Mr Ofori-Atta instructed his lawyers to inform the OSP that he was out of the jurisdiction indefinitely on medical grounds.”
The OSP, however, has denied any involvement in Tuesday’s raid on Ofori-Atta’s residence, fueling speculation about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This latest development adds to the legal and political tensions surrounding the high-profile investigations into financial irregularities involving the former finance minister.