Ken Ofori-Atta
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declared former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta wanted for allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences, including the release of state funds for the construction of the National Cathedral project.
The Office says it is investigating the former minister in four high-profile cases, including the contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production and minerals and metals resources value chain.
It is also investigating him for the termination of a distribution loss reduction and associated network improvement project contract between Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Beijing Technology (BXC).
Again, the OSP says it is investigating Mr. Ofori-Atta for the procurement of contractors and materials and activities, as well as payments in respect of the National Cathedral project.
The fourth case has to do with “activities and payments in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health initially commenced by the Ministry of Special Developments Initiatives to service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchases and after sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes Benz sprinter ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.”
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, speaking at a press conference where he declared the former minister a fugitive, indicated that Mr. Ofori-Atta was asked to appear at the OSP in person on February 10, 2025 at 10GMT for an interview, but he chose to instruct his lawyers to inform the OSP that he was out of the jurisdiction indefinitely on medical grounds.
“A few minutes ago, I signed a directive declaring a high-profile person a fugitive from justice. The person is wanted by the OSP to answer charges in respect of several cases… the fugitive’s name is Ken Ofori-Atta,” the Special Prosecutor announced.
The OSP further indicated that it is clear that Mr. Ofori-Atta has no intention of willingly returning to the jurisdiction, hence the OSP would take all necessary legal steps to secure his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta, you have two choices. You can either return to the jurisdiction voluntarily or the OSP will enforce your return,” he added.
Home Raid
Meanwhile, the OSP has denied any involvement with the armed individuals who allegedly raided the home of the former minister.
“That could not have been the OSP, and that is not our style. If the OSP enters your premises, you will not be in doubt as to where the OSP had come from, and your lawyers will not have cause to inquire as to whether it was the OSP,” Mr. Agyebeng said at the press conference.
According to him, information gathered by the Office suggests that the raid was either staged or at best perpetrated by certain individuals to discredit the OSP.
Ken’s Lawyers
Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers had written to the OSP indicating that the former minister was out of the country on health grounds – undergoing observation and tests culminating in medical decisions to be taken in due course as to the way forward with treatment.
The lawyers however, indicated that they are “able and willing to provide you with any information you may require to aid in your investigations until our client is back in the country for any in-person investigations outlined in the said letter.”
OSP Disagrees
But Kissi Agyebeng, in response to the letter, indicated that the “OSP is unconvinced that the purported medical letter transmitted by Mr. Ofori-Atta through his lawyers to the OSP represents a medical report to the effect that Mr. Ofori-Atta is incapacitated or is so sickly an invalid to the extent that he is physically unable to return to the jurisdiction without imperiling his life.”
He said no serious law enforcement agency would be convinced that the purported medical letter stops it from demanding the physical appearance of Mr. Ofori-Atta before it in the described circumstances. And certainly not the OSP.
“We are of the firm conviction that it is only a ruse employed by Mr. Ofori-Atta in aid of his intention to avoid his return to the jurisdiction and to personally answer questions in respect of the investigations,” he added.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak