Ken Ofori-Atta
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has reiterated its resolve to proceed with the criminal charges brought against former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, despite news about him being granted a permanent United States residence.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta remains the subject of criminal proceedings in Ghana, which are before the High Court, Accra,” the OSP indicated in a statement posted on social media.
The statement said a valid warrant of arrest has been issued by the High Court, Accra, and Mr. Ofori-Atta remains a fugitive from justice in Ghana.
“He is required to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the High Court, Accra, to answer the criminal charges pending against him,” the statement read.
The OSP was reacting to multiple news reports highlighting the transcript of the proceedings of a US Immigration Court which determined Mr. Ofori-Atta’s motion for adjustment of status and granted same.
Charges
Mr. Ofori-Atta is facing multiple allegations of corruption and related offences in Ghana for some decisions he took during his tenure as Minister for Finance under the Nana Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
The OSP has initiated extradition processes through the Attorney General to have him extradited to Ghana to face the charges preferred against him.
Those efforts suffered a heavy blow when his lawyers confirmed last month that a US Immigration Court in Annandale, Virginia, had granted him a ‘Green Card,’ thereby making it further difficult to have him extradited to Ghana.
Mahama’s Plea
President Mahama, on July 17, 2026 urged Mr. Ofori-Atta to return voluntarily to Ghana to face the charges, noting that a failure to do so not only affects his reputation but that of his children and grandchildren. He assured the former minister a fair trial.
“…But if he doesn’t come back, then it means he leaves a cloud of doubt over his head forever, and over his children and grandchildren. So, we’ll see how things play out,” the President said.
US Court’s Ruling
Moments after the President’s statement, the US Immigration Court’s ruling granting Mr. Ofori-Atta a permanent residence surfaced online, with many wondering whether the President had been properly briefed on the issue.
According to the court, criminal charges that have been brought against the former minister by the OSP do not have any basis and are not credible.
“You, by contrast, have testified credibly, presented significant evidence indicating that you were not engaged in criminal wrongdoing,” the court said, while also finding that Mr. Ofori-Atta had established that “the positive equities in his case far outweigh any negative equities.”
The court further indicated that it carefully reviewed the OSP’s affidavit and found that the affidavit is lacking in any persuasive proof or evidence that Mr. Ofori-Atta engaged has engaged in any criminal wrongdoing as alleged, as minister of finance or otherwise, or that he personally profited from his work as a government official in Ghana.
“The lack of any persuasive evidence indicating any kind of criminal wrongdoing or criminal conspiracy involving the respondent in the OSP’s affidavit is powerful evidence,” the court said.
OSP Reacts
The OSP in reacting to the ruling said the credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta is a matter for determination by the courts in Ghana, which have jurisdiction to determine his guilt or innocence.
“Such matters are not determined by an immigration court in the United States,” the statement said.
The statement said the criminal proceedings in Ghana shall continue in accordance with applicable law and the directives of the High Court, Accra, whether or not Mr. Ofori-Atta is present in Ghana.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak