Keypoints:
- Interpol issues Red Notice for Ken Ofori-Atta
- Accused of abusing public office and causing state losses
- $58m cathedral project at centre of corruption probe
INTERPOL has issued a Red Notice for Ghana’s former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta, as authorities pursue him over serious corruption allegations. The former top official is accused of using public office for personal profit and is now wanted internationally after failing to appear before an investigative panel.
Requested by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the Red Notice asks global police networks to locate and provisionally detain Ofori-Atta ahead of possible extradition.
‘We want him here physically, and we insist on it,’ said Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng. ‘A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations.’
Cathedral scandal sparks global alert
At the centre of the case is the controversial National Cathedral project. Despite over $58 million in government spending, the site remains unfinished — a glaring symbol of alleged financial mismanagement under Ofori-Atta’s watch.
Prosecutors accuse the 65-year-old of violating procurement procedures and causing major losses to the state. He is also being investigated for other questionable public contracts approved during his tenure.
Ofori-Atta, reportedly abroad for medical treatment, has not responded publicly to the renewed accusations. His legal team had offered to represent him in absentia, but the OSP rejected this, demanding his physical appearance.
Fall from top post to fugitive status
Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 until early 2024 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Following the NPP’s electoral loss in December, President John Mahama returned to office and quickly launched Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) — a sweeping anti-corruption drive.
The task force has received over 2,000 corruption complaints, with more than $20bn in potentially recoverable public funds under investigation. Ofori-Atta was temporarily removed from the OSP’s wanted list in February after assuring his return, but his failure to show up in March reignited legal actions.
He has since filed a lawsuit accusing the OSP of unlawful treatment and has demanded removal of his name and photo from official platforms.
Mahama toughens anti-graft agenda
President Mahama has directed the attorney general and minister of justice to investigate all claims arising from Operation Recover All Loot. He has vowed that Ghana will no longer be ‘a safe haven for corruption’.
The issuance of an Interpol Red Notice against such a senior former official marks a bold step in that campaign — and signals that Ghana is willing to use every tool available, including global law enforcement, to hold past leaders accountable.
