Ghana’s ex-Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta declared a fugitive
Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister, has been declared a fugitive by prosecutors due to his alleged involvement in multiple corruption cases during his time in office.
According to Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng, Ofori-Atta left the country to avoid investigations, and steps will be taken to ensure his return.
Ofori-Atta is accused of causing significant financial losses to the state, including a controversial national cathedral project, which has reportedly seen $58 million (£46.6m) of government funds spent, yet remains unfinished. Ofori-Atta has not publicly commented on the allegations. His lawyers claim he is out of the country for medical treatment.
Agyabeng stated that Ofori-Atta failed to attend an interview with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), even after being informed he was a suspect. Ofori-Atta left Ghana in early January and had no plans to return voluntarily, prompting the OSP to declare him a “wanted person.”
Ofori-Atta served as finance minister from January 2017 to February 2024 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, which lost the December elections to the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Following the election, President John Mahama, inaugurated in January, established an investigative committee named Operation Recover All Loot. The committee has received over 200 corruption complaints, amounting to more than $20 billion in recoverable funds.
Mahama has instructed the attorney general and the minister of justice to investigate these allegations, emphasizing that Ghana will no longer tolerate corruption. However, Mahama has faced criticism from some Ghanaians for discontinuing cases against his former allies who are currently on trial.
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