Introduction

Interpol has issued a Interpol Red Notice for Ghana’s former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, marking a dramatic turn in one of the country’s most high-profile corruption investigations. Ofori-Atta, accused of leveraging his public office for personal enrichment, is reportedly abroad for medical treatment and has denied any wrongdoing. The red notice comes after his repeated failure to appear before Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

What Is a Red Notice and Why Was It Issued?

An Interpol red notice is not an international arrest warrant, but it is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. The red notice for Ken Ofori-Atta stems from allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure as Ghana’s finance minister from 2017 to 2024 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

According to local reports, Ofori-Atta is accused of causing massive financial losses to the state, especially in connection to the failed National Cathedral project which consumed an estimated $58 million of public funds but remains unbuilt.

Legal Arguments and Health Claims

Ofori-Atta’s legal team, led by lawyer Frank Davies, has contested the move by the prosecutor, calling it an overreach. Speaking to AFP, Davies said, “We submitted medical records in good faith, and the Office has chosen to ignore them. The Special Prosecutor is not being sensitive to the issues at hand.”

Back in February, Ofori-Atta reportedly submitted a medical certificate and offered a date for his return. This briefly led to his removal from the wanted list. However, after failing to appear again in May, the Special Prosecutor reclassified him as a fugitive and escalated the matter internationally.

Political Ramifications and Operation Recover All Loot

The scandal comes at a time of political transition in Ghana. In January 2025, President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was inaugurated following the NPP’s electoral defeat. As part of his anti-corruption pledge, Mahama launched an initiative dubbed “Operation Recover All Loot.”

This committee has so far received over 200 corruption complaints involving more than $20 billion in alleged recoverable funds. The Mahama administration has vowed to bring corrupt former officials to justice, including high-ranking members of the previous regime. However, critics argue that investigations into Mahama’s own political allies have been quietly dropped, casting doubt on the impartiality of the effort.

Controversial Cathedral Project Under Scrutiny

Among the most notable cases against Ofori-Atta is his role in funding the controversial National Cathedral project. Intended as a symbol of unity and faith, the cathedral remains unbuilt, with allegations of inflated contracts and lack of transparency plaguing the project. Ofori-Atta is accused of bypassing procurement laws and channeling government funds without proper oversight.

Watchdog groups like Transparency International have called on Ghana to conduct impartial audits and criminal proceedings to restore public trust in state institutions.

Interpol’s Role and International Implications

With the red notice now live, authorities in any country where Ofori-Atta may be receiving treatment are obliged to alert Interpol if his whereabouts are confirmed. Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor has insisted that “a suspect in a criminal investigation does not get to pick and choose how the investigative process works.”

This marks a key test for Ghana’s international cooperation on criminal accountability. Similar notices have previously led to the arrest and extradition of former officials in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria.

Conclusion

The Interpol red notice for Ken Ofori-Atta signals a serious push by Ghana’s current government to combat entrenched corruption and recoup lost state resources. While his legal team continues to protest his treatment and cite medical grounds, the pressure is mounting for the former finance chief to return and face justice. The outcome of this case will have major implications for Ghana’s global reputation in transparency and accountability.

Stay updated on Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts and related stories via our Africa Anti-Corruption section and learn more about ongoing corruption investigations.