Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has once again been declared a wanted person by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), following his failure to appear for questioning on Monday, June 2, 2025.

At a news conference in Accra, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng revealed that lawyers for Mr. Ofori-Atta had informed the OSP that their client has been diagnosed with cancer.

However, Mr. Agyebeng raised concerns about the credibility of the excuse, suggesting it could be part of a deliberate effort to evade justice.

Timeline of evasion

The former Finance Minister was first declared a "fugitive from justice" in February 2025 after failing to honour repeated invitations by the OSP to assist in investigations into multiple high-profile corruption cases. These include:

• His role in the controversial revenue assurance contract with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML)
• Financial dealings related to the construction of the National Cathedral
• A series of other procurement and expenditure issues during his tenure from 2017 to 2024

Mr. Ofori-Atta was temporarily removed from the wanted list on February 18, 2025, after his legal team provided assurances that he would return to Ghana and report to the OSP on June 2. That date has now passed without his appearance.

Cancer diagnosis cited

Special Prosecutor Agyebeng confirmed that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team submitted medical documents citing an "unexpected deterioration" in his health and a recent cancer diagnosis. The team proposed that the former Minister be allowed to give a caution statement virtually under the Electronic Transactions Act.

The OSP, however, rejected this request, citing the need for a physical appearance to ensure a thorough investigation and accountability.

“Legal representation is no substitute for the personal attendance of a suspect in a criminal investigation,” Mr. Agyebeng emphasised.

INTERPOL red notice looms

The latest development has triggered renewed efforts by the OSP to locate and bring Mr. Ofori-Atta back to Ghana.

The office has indicated it will reinitiate processes for an INTERPOL Red Notice—an international alert that would facilitate his arrest and extradition from any of INTERPOL's 196 member states.

Legal challenge pending

Meanwhile, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team is battling the OSP in court. He has filed a suit at the Human Rights Court challenging the legality of the OSP’s initial declaration of him as wanted, arguing that it violates his rights and requesting the removal of related content from the OSP’s digital platforms.

The court is expected to rule on the matter on June 18, 2025.

High stakes

This case has become one of Ghana’s most closely watched legal battles, testing the authority of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the extent to which high-ranking former officials can be held accountable for alleged corruption.

Mr. Agyebeng concluded the press briefing with a strong message: “No one is above the law. The fight against corruption will not be compromised—no matter how high the stakes.”

Wanted

Minutes into the news conference in Accra, the OSP published Mr. Ofori-Atta's image on its digital platforms, declared him a wanted man, again.