Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.
Former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been placed on Interpol’s Red Notice list following a formal request by Ghanaian authorities amid an aggressive nationwide anti-corruption campaign. The former minister is accused of being involved in multiple high-profile financial scandals, most notably the alleged mismanagement and diversion of over $58 million in public funds earmarked for the construction of the controversial National Cathedral project, which remains incomplete despite several years of funding and planning. Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2023 under the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been under investigation by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) since late 2024. The investigations form part of the Mahama administration’s flagship anti-graft campaign, dubbed “Operation Recover All Loot,” launched in early 2025 to recover an estimated $20 billion in alleged embezzled and misapplied funds from previous administrations. According to the OSP, Ofori-Atta was declared a fugitive from justice in February 2025 after repeatedly failing to appear for questioning, claiming to be undergoing medical treatment abroad. At the time, the OSP published a public notice requesting information about his whereabouts and outlining charges linked to procurement irregularities in sectors including energy, petroleum, health, and finance. The notice accused him of playing a key role in corrupt procurement practices, abuse of tax refund schemes, and orchestrating inflated government contracts.
In March 2025, his legal team managed to negotiate a temporary removal from the wanted list after submitting a formal commitment that Ofori-Atta would return to Ghana voluntarily for interrogation. However, the former minister failed to honor a final summons scheduled for June 2, 2025, leading the OSP to reinstate his fugitive status and escalate the matter by requesting assistance from Interpol. The issuance of a Red Notice means that law enforcement agencies across over 190 Interpol member countries are now authorized to locate and provisionally arrest him pending extradition proceedings. Ofori-Atta has denied any wrongdoing and has filed a defamation suit against the OSP, claiming political persecution and reputational damage. His lawyers argue that he has been cooperative and that the government is attempting to scapegoat him as part of a broader political agenda targeting officials from the previous regime. The Interpol Red Notice does not equate to a formal arrest warrant but is a powerful international mechanism used to flag individuals wanted by a country’s legal system.
Ghanaian civil society groups and opposition figures have welcomed the move, calling it a major step in restoring public trust in the country’s institutions. However, some critics warn that the case could set a dangerous precedent if it is perceived as politically motivated. The National Cathedral project, central to the allegations, has long been a point of contention in Ghana. Initially launched as a personal vow by President Akufo-Addo, the project faced backlash over its cost, delays, lack of transparency, and perceived diversion of public funds for religious infrastructure while critical sectors such as health and education remained underfunded. President John Mahama’s administration has emphasized that it will pursue all individuals linked to financial misconduct, regardless of their political affiliations, and that the fight against corruption will be conducted transparently and within the boundaries of the law. The outcome of Ofori-Atta’s case could mark a turning point in Ghana’s fight against elite corruption. If extradited, he would be the most senior official in recent history to face criminal proceedings for financial misconduct, sending a strong message about accountability and justice. The situation continues to develop, and Ghanaian authorities have pledged to pursue all legal channels to bring the former minister back for prosecution.
