Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is no longer on the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) wanted list after confirming a date for his return to Ghana.
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, had declared him a fugitive on February 12 2025 for failing to indicate when he would return to the country for questioning.
Mr Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2023, is under investigation for alleged corruption and related offences.
The Special Prosecutor had outlined the following five major investigations involving the former Finance Minister:
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1. Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited & GRA Contract
Mr. Ofori-Atta is under investigation regarding contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the stated purpose of enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals resources value chain.
2. ECG and Beijing Technology Limited Contract Termination
The OSP is probing the termination of a distribution loss reduction and network improvement project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Beijing Technology Limited.
3. National Cathedral Project
Mr Ofori-Atta is also being investigated over procurement of contractors, materials, activities, and payments in relation to the controversial National Cathedral project.
4. Procurement of Ambulances
The former Finance Minister is linked to investigations into contracts awarded by the Ministry of Health (originally initiated by the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives) to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase, after-sales service, and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 305 CDI ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.
5. GRA’s Tax Refund Account Payments
The OSP is probing payments made from and the utilization of the Ghana Revenue Authority’s tax refund account.
However, on February 18, 2025, Mr Ofori-Atta, through his lawyers, formally informed the OSP of his decision to return and provided a specific date. This marked a shift from his earlier position of remaining outside the country indefinitely.
Following this, the OSP reviewed his status and deemed his stated return date reasonable. The Special Prosecutor then rescheduled his appearance to align with his expected arrival.
“Mr Ofori-Atta has been removed from the OSP’s list of wanted persons and is no longer considered a fugitive, provided he returns as agreed,” the OSP said in a statement.
The OSP cautioned that if he fails to return or misses his rescheduled appointment, his name will be reinstated on the wanted list, and legal steps will be taken to ensure his appearance.
Ofori-Atta’s removal from the list comes after weeks of speculation about his whereabouts and whether he would cooperate with the investigation.
The OSP reaffirmed that it will pursue all legal options if he does not return as promised.
