The government of Ghana has completed the legal procedures to seek the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his alleged accomplice, Ernest Darko Akore, from the United States, Dominic Ayine, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, has announced.

In January 2025, the OSP named Ken Ofori-Atta as a suspect in several corruption-related investigations, including alleged irregularities in contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), expenditures on the National Cathedral project, and issues involving health and tax refund operations.

However, nearly 10 months after he was declared a “fugitive from justice” in February, Ofori-Atta remains at large in the United States and has not returned to Ghana voluntarily.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, December 10, 2025, Ayine said his office transmitted the full extradition request to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for onward transmission to the competent US authorities, specifically the Department of Justice.

“At this point, it is left to the American authorities, especially the judicial authorities, to determine whether a sufficient basis exists for the two accused persons to be extradited to Ghana to stand trial,” Ayine said.

He noted that the matters have been filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor and that, as a result, he could not discuss the specifics of the charges. He, however, urged Ghanaians to consult the publicly available charge sheet.

“There are 78 charges against Honourable Ken Ofori-Atta and his accomplices, which border on causing financial loss to the state and using public office for private benefit,” he added.

Ayine emphasised that the government is committed to accountability and has taken all legally required steps to ensure that Ofori-Atta and Ernest Darko Akore receive justice in Ghana.

The extradition request now awaits assessment by US judicial authorities, who will determine if there is a sufficient legal basis to return the accused to Ghana.