Ghana’s ex-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been declared a fugitive by the country’s special prosecutor, who has accused him of corruption and financial misconduct.
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has warned Ofori-Atta to return voluntarily or be extradited, alleging that he has caused financial harm to the state through high-profile government transactions.
Ofori-Atta, who served under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, is accused of authorising significant public spending for the controversial National Cathedral project in Accra. Initially planned to be privately funded, the project was allocated $58 million in state funds despite construction having been stalled for two years. The former minister is also alleged to have approved a payment of $11.8 million at the request of the chief of staff of the presidency.
Beyond the cathedral controversy, Ofori-Atta is also involved in a contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilization Ghana Ltd (SML). Reports show that during his tenure, more than $83 million was paid to SML in 2019 without the required approval from the Public Procurement Authority.
Anti-corruption groups have long demanded his prosecution, and lawsuits have been filed against him, the GRA and SML, demanding accountability and the recovery of public funds.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has now taken up the case and has initiated legal action against the former minister. Authorities have not disclosed his current location, but the new government under President John Mahama has vowed to take a tough stance against corruption. The administration has received more than 2,000 complaints about alleged financial misconduct by the previous government as part of its “Operation Undo All the Loot” (ORAL) initiative.