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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is currently conducting a high-profile investigation into the activities of Ken Ofori-Atta, the former Minister of Finance under the government of former President Akufo-Addo. The probe focuses on five major issues related to alleged mismanagement of public funds and procurement irregularities during his office. Mr Ofori-Atta was directed to appear in person at the OSP headquarters on June 2, 2025. The OSP stated that failure to do so will result in his reclassification as a fugitive, reinstating his name to the wanted list, and requesting an INTERPOL Red Notice. This action would internationalise efforts to apprehend him. This explainer outlines the reasons behind the investigation and provides a timeline of key events relating to Mr Ofori-Atta’s engagement with the OSP.
Issues Under Investigation
The OSP has launched inquiries into five cases involving Mr Ofori-Atta, each raising serious concerns about transparency, public accountability, and the use of state resources.
- Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance:
This case centres on contractual dealings between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The investigation aims to determine whether the contract arrangements compromised Ghana’s ability to collect revenues from the petroleum and minerals sectors, two of the country’s most significant sources of income.
- National Cathedral Project:
One of the most contentious issues concerns the procurement and financial transactions associated with the construction of the National Cathedral. The OSP is investigating whether procurement laws were breached and whether public funds were misused to support the project, which has been both politically and publicly divisive. - Electricity Company Contract Termination:
The OSP is examining the cancellation of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC). Questions have arisen about the legality and implications of the termination, particularly whether due process was followed and whether it resulted in financial loss to the state. - GRA Tax P-Fund Management:
Finally, the handling and disbursement of funds from the GRA’s Tax P-Fund Account is being investigated. The focus is on how the funds were managed and whether there were instances of misappropriation or misuse under Mr. Ofori-Atta’s leadership as Finance Minister.
- Ambulance Procurement:
The Ministry of Health’s contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase and maintenance of 307 ambulances is also under scrutiny. The OSP is reviewing the procurement process, cost, and possible irregularities in the delivery and maintenance of the ambulances.
Chronology of Events
The investigation formally began in January 2025 when the OSP notified Mr. Ofori-Atta of his status as a suspect in the five cases and requested his appearance on February 10, 2025. However, Mr Ofori-Atta’s legal team responded on January 31, 2025, stating that he was abroad for medical treatment and unable to return indefinitely, offering to represent him in his absence.
This was rejected by the OSP on February 5, 2025, which emphasised that legal representation could not substitute for a suspect’s presence in a criminal matter. The OSP demanded a definitive return date by February 10, 2025.
In response, on the deadline day, Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyers submitted a medical note suggesting he was undergoing tests and possibly surgery. Still, it did not specify when he would be able to return. As no concrete cooperation followed, the OSP declared Mr Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice and issued a warrant for his arrest on February 12, 2025.
This led to a turning point on February 18, 2025, when Mr Ofori-Atta appealed to the OSP to remove his name from the wanted list, finally providing a specific return date in May 2025. Accepting this assurance, the OSP took his name off the list.
In March 2025, Mr Ofori-Atta initiated legal proceedings against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, seeking compensation for what he termed an unlawful declaration of him as “wanted.” He also demanded the removal of all related posts from the OSP’s social media platforms. On March 28, 2025, the Human Rights Court heard an interim application from Mr. Ofori-Atta to prevent the OSP from repeating such an action.
Due to an unexpected decline in his health, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta will not be able to appear before the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as initially scheduled. This development has now affected his return, which was expected on June 2.
As a result, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has once again declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted person after he failed to appear in person before the office as directed. According to him, his patience with Mr Ofori-Atta has run out, following what it describes as repeated delays and noncompliance with ongoing criminal proceedings against him.
Conclusion
The investigation into Ken Ofori-Atta by the Office of the Special Prosecutor marks a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to strengthen public accountability and combat high-level corruption. With five major cases under scrutiny, ranging from revenue assurance in the extractive sector to controversial public procurement decisions, the inquiry reflects broader concerns about governance and financial stewardship during his tenure as Finance Minister. The timeline of events reveals a tense stand-off between the OSP and Mr Ofori-Atta, highlighting the legal and procedural complexities involved in holding influential public figures accountable.
