Interpol has issued a “red notice” for Ghana’s former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, according to website records reviewed on Friday, as he faces allegations of using public office for personal gain.
Ofori-Atta is under investigation for a series of high-profile contracts, including deals related to Ghana’s petroleum revenues, electricity supply, ambulance procurement, and a controversial national cathedral project that, after tens of millions of dollars spent, has produced little more than a hole in the ground excavated by construction crews.
The Interpol notice follows a formal request by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which re-declared Ofori-Atta a wanted person on Monday after he failed to appear for a scheduled interrogation.
Extradition proceedings are reportedly underway to bring him back to Ghana, though his exact whereabouts remain unclear as he is reportedly seeking medical treatment abroad.
A red notice is a request to police worldwide to arrest a suspect.
The OSP is investigating alleged misconduct ranging from improper procurement processes to financial mismanagement.
“We will not countenance this conduct, not in this case,” Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng told local media on Monday.
The OSP insists Ofori-Atta must appear in person, rejecting requests from his legal team for a virtual session on medical grounds.
Frank Davies, a member of Ofori-Atta’s legal team, criticized the special prosecutor’s stance.
“We submitted medical records in good faith, and the office has chosen to ignore them,” Davies told AFP on Friday after the notice was issued.
“The special prosecutor is not being sensitive to the issues at hand, especially knowing that Mr. Ofori-Atta is unwell and receiving treatment.”
The new administration of President John Mahama has intensified efforts to hold former government appointees accountable for their time in office.
The attorney general is currently building 33 cases of corruption and related offenses against former government officials.
Ofori-Atta served as finance minister under former president Nana Akufo-Addo for seven years.
