OSP Declares Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a Fugitive
Acra, Ghana - 12 Feb, 2025 - Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted person in connection with four high-profile corruption investigations.
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng announced on Wednesday that Ofori-Atta must return to Ghana immediately to face questioning over his alleged role in the mismanagement of state funds.
The OSP's investigation involves several cases, including:
- Contractual Arrangements: Alleged irregularities in contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
- National Cathedral Project: Procurement irregularities and suspicious payments related to the National Cathedral project.
- Ambulance Contract: Alleged mismanagement of funds in a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health for the purchase and maintenance of ambulances.
- Tax Refund Account: Suspicious payments from the tax refund account of the GRA.
Agyebeng dismissed claims that Ofori-Atta had left the country for medical treatment, stating that the former minister must cooperate with the ongoing investigations. The OSP also refuted reports of a raid on Ofori-Atta's residence, alleging that the former minister staged the incident to mislead the public and discredit the OSP's investigations.
During a press briefing to journalists on wednesday morning, Agyebeng noted the following;
“ 1.Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the GRA for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production and minerals and metals resources value chain.
'' 2. Termination of a distribution loss reduction and associated network improvement project contract between ECG and Beijing Technology (BXC).
'' 3. Procurement of contractors and materials and activities and payments in respect of the national cathedral project.
“4. Activities and payments in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health initially commenced by the ministry of special developments initiatives to service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchases and after sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes benz sprinter ambulances for the national ambulance service and 5. payments out of and utilisatiion of the tax refund account of GRA.”
Agyebeng further said “The fugitive’s name is Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori Atta. Mr Ofori-Atta is 66 years old. He was the minister of Finance of the republic between 2017 and 2024. Mr Ofori-Atta left the jurisdiction on or around 2 January 2025.On 24th January 2025, the OSP communicated to Mr Ofori-Atta that OSP considered him suspect in respect to four of the cases above. Mr Ofori-Atta was asked to attend in person on Monday 10th February 2025 at 10GMT for an interview…Mr Ofori-Atta instructed his lawyers to inform the OSP that he was out of the jurisdiction indefinitely on medical grounds…''
Ofori-Atta, 66, served as Ghana's Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024. His failure to comply with the OSP's summons may result in further action to compel his return to Ghana.
Source: Lead News Online
