Ghana’s former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been declared a wanted fugitive by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement.
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng issued a public ultimatum on Wednesday, warning Ofori-Atta to return voluntarily or face enforced repatriation to answer for his role in alleged financial irregularities and losses to the state.
Key Allegations Against Ofori-Atta
The former minister, who served under ex-President Nana Akufo-Addo, is facing investigations over his involvement in two major financial scandals:
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National Cathedral Project Funding
- Ofori-Atta is accused of authorizing the release of $58 million in state funds for the construction of the National Cathedral in Accra, despite earlier claims that the project would be privately funded.
- The cathedral project stalled two years ago, becoming a symbol of fiscal mismanagement and sparking public outrage over government spending priorities.
- He also allegedly approved an additional $11.8 million at the request of the presidential chief of staff, though construction remains incomplete.
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Controversial Contract with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML)
- Ofori-Atta is implicated in a 2019 contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML, a private company specializing in oil sector audits and insurance.
- Under his tenure, the GRA allegedly paid over $83 million to SML for audit services without obtaining legal approval from the Public Procurement Authority.
- Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency and whether the contract provided any real value to the country.
Public and Legal Reactions
Anti-corruption groups, including the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), have long called for Ofori-Atta’s prosecution. Some organizations have already filed lawsuits against him, the GRA, and SML, demanding accountability and a refund of public money.
With growing pressure, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has taken over the investigation and is now actively pursuing legal action against the former minister.
According to Special Prosecutor Agyebeng, Ofori-Atta has shown no intention of voluntarily returning to Ghana to face prosecution. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
New Government’s Crackdown on Corruption
President John Mahama’s administration, which took office recently, has declared a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and has vowed to prosecute former government officials involved in corrupt practices.
As part of its “Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL)” initiative, Mahama’s government has received over 2,000 complaints regarding state assets allegedly misappropriated by former officials in the Akufo-Addo administration.
The OSP’s pursuit of Ofori-Atta signals a major test for Ghana’s anti-corruption drive, as authorities seek to restore public trust in governance and financial accountability.
