Interpol issues red alert for fugitive former Ghanaian minister

Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister, has been listed on Interpol’s Red Notice for alleged misuse of public office for personal benefit.

This development follows Ghanaian prosecutors officially naming Ofori-Atta as a wanted individual and fugitive after he remained outside the country amid investigations into several corruption allegations linked to his tenure in government.

While a Red Notice is not an arrest warrant, it is an international alert issued to police worldwide requesting the detention of a suspect pending extradition.

Ofori-Atta, believed to be abroad for medical treatment, has not publicly addressed the charges but has claimed that he is being unfairly targeted.

The 65-year-old faces accusations of causing substantial financial damage to the state, including scrutiny over procurement processes connected to the construction of the national cathedral a project that remains unfinished despite reportedly consuming $58 million in government funds.

Although his lawyers offered to represent him, the state prosecutor maintained that they could not respond to criminal charges on his behalf.

Earlier this year, Ofori-Atta petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to have his name removed from the wanted list, providing a confirmed return date in May.

The state prosecutor, Kissi Agyabeng, accepted this assurance and temporarily removed him from the list.

However, after failing to appear before an investigative panel in March, Ofori-Atta was again declared wanted and a fugitive from justice.

This prompted Agyabeng to formally request Interpol’s assistance through a Red Notice, according to local media reports.

“We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect cannot dictate the terms of an investigation,” said Agyabeng.

The Red Notice issued late Thursday charges Ofori-Atta with “using public office for profit.”

He held the finance minister position from January 2017 to February 2024 under the NPP government, which lost last December’s elections to the National Democratic Congress.

Since President John Mahama’s inauguration in January, his administration has established Operation Recover All Loot, a committee tasked with investigating corruption allegations involving over $20 billion in recoverable assets.

Mahama has ordered the attorney general and justice minister to spearhead these probes, vowing that Ghana will no longer serve as a refuge for corrupt officials.

Nonetheless, some critics have voiced concerns over the halting of prosecutions against some former allies.