Ghana’s former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, was declared a wanted fugitive on Wednesday and accused of corruption by the country’s Special Prosecutor.
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng issued a stern warning to Ofori-Atta, saying, “You have two choices: either return to the jurisdiction voluntarily, or the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) will enforce your return.” Ofori-Atta is accused of causing significant financial loss to the state through high-profile government transactions.
Ofori-Atta, who served under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, is alleged to have authorized the release of substantial state funds for the controversial National Cathedral project in Accra. Initially conceived by Akufo-Addo as a tribute to God following his 2016 election victory, the project was supposed to be funded privately. However, reports indicate that $58 million in public funds have been spent on the cathedral, sparking public outrage over financial irregularities.
In addition to the cathedral project, Ofori-Atta faces accusations of approving the disbursement of $11.8 million at the request of the presidential chief of staff. Despite the funds being released, construction of the cathedral has stalled for over two years, raising concerns about fiscal mismanagement.
Critics argue that Ofori-Atta failed to ensure proper oversight and due diligence before approving these payments, further fueling the controversy.
Beyond the cathedral, Ofori-Atta is implicated in a contentious contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML), an audit and insurance company specializing in the oil sector.
In 2019, the GRA reportedly paid over $83 million to SML under Ofori-Atta’s watch without obtaining the necessary approval from the Public Procurement Authority. The payments were made for audit and verification services, but transparency concerns and questions about the contract’s value for money have since emerged.
Anti-corruption organizations, including the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), have long demanded Ofori-Atta’s prosecution. Some groups have filed lawsuits against Ofori-Atta, the GRA, and SML, seeking accountability and the return of misappropriated public funds.
The OSP has now taken over the investigation and is pursuing legal action against the former minister. Agyebeng confirmed that Ofori-Atta had shown no intention of returning to Ghana voluntarily to face charges. Authorities have not disclosed his current whereabouts.
The newly elected government of President John Mahama has vowed zero tolerance for corruption, promising to hold former government officials accountable for alleged corrupt practices. The government’s “Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL)” initiative has already received over 2,000 complaints, with a focus on retrieving assets unlawfully acquired by former officials of the Akufo-Addo administration.
