The Deputy National Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Sofo Tanko Rashid Computer has alleged that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is deliberately avoiding the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) by pretending to be unwell.

Dr. Tanko made the assertion during a live appearance on TV3’s New Day, hosted by Roland Walker, in response to recent developments in the OSP’s ongoing investigation into alleged corruption.

“Ken Ofori-Atta is not sick! He’s well, he’s hearty. There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s only doing hide and seek,” Dr. Tanko declared. “He knows the enormity of the crimes the OSP is investigating, and his lawyers have advised him accordingly.”

According to Dr. Tanko, a request by Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team for a virtual interrogation further supports his claim that the former minister is trying to dodge the OSP’s quest for accountability.

“This is a strategy they have adopted, and it is not going to help anybody,” he emphasised.

OSP declares Ofori-Atta wanted again

Dr. Tanko’s comments come in the wake of the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s recent decision to declare Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted person again. The move follows Mr. Ofori-Atta’s failure to appear before the OSP on June 2, 2025, despite previous assurances that he would cooperate.

The OSP, led by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, described Mr. Ofori-Atta as a fugitive from justice and has initiated steps for extradition. A formal INTERPOL Red Notice has also been requested to ensure international assistance in his arrest.

This is the second time Mr. Ofori-Atta has been declared wanted. He was removed from the list in February 2025 after he pledged to return voluntarily in May.

In the same interview, Dr. Tanko praised President John Dramani Mahama’s renewed efforts to fight corruption, saying that under his leadership, public officeholders are being held to higher ethical standards.

“President Mahama is on a mission to build a prosperous nation free from corruption and to recover all looted state funds,” Dr. Tanko said. “That’s why he has warned his appointees to stay clear of the public purse. After nearly six months in office, there hasn’t been a single corruption scandal.”

He urged the public, and particularly Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team, to support Mahama’s “Reset Ghana” agenda, which he described as critical to national renewal and public trust.

Who is Ken Ofori-Atta?

Ken Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024 under President Nana Akufo-Addo. He led key financial initiatives such as the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme and IMF bailout negotiations, but his tenure was also marred by growing debt concerns and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He is currently under investigation by the OSP for alleged multiple offences, including alleged procurement breaches and misuse of public funds, particularly involving the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Tax Refund Account.

His lawyers have indicated that he is unwell and is scheduled for a surgical procedure that requires that his expected relocation to Ghana be delayed.

About the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)

The OSP is Ghana’s foremost independent anti-corruption agency, established in 2018 to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences involving public officers.