The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially named former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as a suspect in four major corruption-related investigations, marking a significant development in Ghana’s ongoing fight against financial misconduct in public office.
The cases under investigation include allegations linked to the National Cathedral project, Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML), and two other high-profile financial transactions involving state institutions.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng announced that Ofori-Atta is now a wanted person and must return to Ghana immediately to cooperate with the investigative process. He emphasized that any failure to comply would lead to legal measures to compel his return.
“Ofori-Atta must make himself available for questioning. No one is above the law, and the OSP will take every necessary step to ensure that individuals implicated in corruption-related offenses face due process,” Agyebeng stated firmly.
The Special Prosecutor also dismissed claims that Ofori-Atta left the country for medical treatment, insisting that he must cooperate with investigators instead of using alleged health concerns as an excuse to avoid accountability.
He further refuted reports suggesting that officials from the OSP had raided Ofori-Atta’s residence on Tuesday, February 11. Instead, he alleged that the former minister staged the raid himself as part of a deliberate effort to mislead the public and discredit the OSP’s investigations.
“The supposed raid at Mr. Ofori-Atta’s residence was not conducted by our officers. We believe it was staged to create public sympathy and disrupt the integrity of our work,” Agyebeng disclosed. “This kind of manipulation will not deter the OSP from carrying out its constitutional mandate.”
Providing further details on the cases under scrutiny, Agyebeng listed the key issues being investigated by the OSP.
“The first case involves contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals resources value chain,” he said.
The second case concerns the termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Beijing Technology (BXC). This contract was meant to support a distribution loss reduction and network improvement project, but concerns have been raised about the process leading to its termination and the financial implications involved.
The third case focuses on the procurement of contractors, materials, and overall financial transactions related to the National Cathedral project, a venture that has been mired in controversy over alleged financial irregularities.
The fourth case involves activities and payments related to a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health, which was initially initiated by the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives. The contract was awarded to Ghana Auto Group Limited for the procurement and after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.
Additionally, the OSP is investigating the disbursement and utilization of funds from the Ghana Revenue Authority’s tax refund account, amid suspicions of financial mismanagement.
Agyebeng provided more details about the charges against Ofori-Atta, stating, “The fugitive’s name is Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta. Mr. Ofori-Atta is 66 years old. He served as the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Ghana from 2017 to 2024. Mr. Ofori-Atta left the jurisdiction on or around January 2, 2025. On January 24, 2025, the OSP officially informed him that he was considered a suspect in four of the cases under investigation. He was directed to appear in person for an interview on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. GMT. However, Mr. Ofori-Atta instructed his lawyers to inform the OSP that he was out of the country indefinitely on medical grounds.”
According to Agyebeng, the OSP will not allow individuals to evade justice by citing indefinite absences. He reiterated that efforts were underway to bring the former finance minister back to Ghana to answer questions regarding these serious allegations.
“The rule of law must prevail,” Agyebeng emphasized. “We are committed to ensuring that no one manipulates the system to escape accountability. If necessary, legal mechanisms will be activated to facilitate his return.”
The declaration of Ofori-Atta as a suspect and the subsequent search for his return mark a new phase in Ghana’s efforts to combat corruption at the highest levels. The OSP has recently intensified its activities, targeting high-ranking officials accused of mismanaging state funds or engaging in questionable financial deals.
Public reaction to the announcement has been mixed, with some commending the OSP’s commitment to fighting corruption, while others remain skeptical about whether the case will result in actual prosecution. Transparency advocates and civil society organizations have urged the OSP to ensure that its investigations remain independent and free from political influence.
Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions have often been criticized for their lack of enforcement, with many high-profile cases failing to result in convictions. However, Agyebeng has vowed to change this trend and ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions.
“This is not about politics. It is about justice,” he said. “Ghana deserves better, and the people deserve to know that their resources are being managed responsibly.”
As the investigation continues, the OSP is expected to liaise with international agencies to monitor Ofori-Atta’s movements and explore possible extradition options if he fails to return voluntarily. The case has drawn significant attention, given the former minister’s long tenure and central role in Ghana’s economic management during his time in office.
The OSP’s latest action is a strong signal that corruption cases involving high-ranking officials will not be ignored. The developments surrounding Ken Ofori-Atta’s case will be closely watched in the coming weeks, as Ghanaians await further updates on the investigation and the possible legal consequences for the former finance minister.
