Interpol issues red notice for Ghana’s ex-finance minister over alleged corruption

The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has issued a red notice on Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister, for allegedly using public office for personal gains.

A red notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

Checks on Interpol’s website on Friday confirmed the issuance of the red notice, declaring Ofori-Atta wanted on charges of “using public office for profit”.

The development comes amid a probe into the ex-minister’s tenure in office by Ghana’s office of the special prosecutor (OSP).

The OSP had declared Ofori-Atta wanted on June 2 after he failed to honour a summons for questioning.

According to local media, the former minister is under investigation in connection with multiple high-profile contracts, including those linked to Ghana’s petroleum revenues, electricity supply, ambulance procurement, and the construction of the controversial national cathedral.

The lawyers of Ofori-Atta had reportedly requested that he be allowed to appear virtually for interrogation on medical grounds, but the OSP declined, insisting on an in-person session.

They also offered to represent him, but the state prosecutor objected, saying they could not respond to criminal charges on behalf of their client.

Addressing journalists on the case, Kissi Agyebeng, the special prosecutor, said “a suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations”.

“We will not countenance this conduct—not in this case,” Agyebeng said.

Ofori-Atta served under former President Nana Akufo-Addo for seven years. The 65-year-old has been accused of causing financial losses to the state.

His investigation comes following the resolve of President John Mahama’s administration to intensify efforts to probe former government officials.

Mahama had reshuffled his cabinet — a move that reportedly affected over 20 ministers, including Ofori-Atta, who happens to be Akufo-Addo’s cousin.

On February 25, prosecutors declared Ofori-Atta wanted over his alleged involvement in multiple corruption cases when he was a cabinet member.