Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister, has been placed on Interpol’s red notice list, meaning police around the world have been asked to help locate and possibly detain him as he faces serious corruption charges.
Ghanaian authorities have declared him a fugitive from justice after he failed to return to the country, citing medical reasons for his absence.
Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister from January 2017 until February 2024 under the now-opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), is accused of using public office for personal gain and causing financial losses to the state.
One major point of controversy involves the failed construction of a national cathedral, which reportedly consumed $58 million in government funds but remains an unfinished site.
Despite submitting medical records and promising to return by May, Ofori-Atta missed an appearance before an investigative panel.
His legal team insists he is ill and being unfairly targeted, arguing that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) ignored his health condition.
In March, Ofori-Atta even sued the OSP for what he called unlawful treatment and demanded the removal of online content naming him a wanted man.
However, earlier this month, the special prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, reinstated Ofori-Atta’s wanted status and asked Interpol to issue the red notice.
Agyebeng insists that the former minister must return to Ghana physically to face questioning, and that suspects do not get to dictate the terms of an investigation.
The move is part of President John Mahama’s aggressive anti-corruption campaign following his victory in the December 2024 elections.
His government has launched “Operation Recover All Loot,” a task force investigating over $20 billion in alleged corruption claims.
While many support this effort, Mahama has also faced criticism for dropping cases against some of his own allies.
Ofori-Atta has yet to respond publicly to the fresh red notice.
