Former Finance Minister’s Family Accuses Ghana’s Special Prosecutor Of Abusing Powers In ‘Premeditated Vendetta’

Ken Ofori-Atta

Source: Africa Publicity

The family of Ken Ofori-Atta, a former Finance Minister of Ghana, has accused the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) of Ghana of abusing its powers and carrying out they called a “premeditated vendetta” against him in his ongoing corruption trial.

 

In a statement dated Monday, June 9, 2025, the family slammed the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice against Mr. Ofori-Atta. INTERPOL had declared Mr. Ofori-Atta “Wanted” by Ghana.

 

But the family has described the OSP’s actions which led to the issuance of the Red Notice as violations of due process, constitutional rights, and international law.

 

Mr. Ofori-Atta’s family has therefore petitioned Ghana’s National Central Bureau and the country’s Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s file for the immediate deletion of the Red Notice issued recently against him.

 

According to the family, the Red Notice was procured based on manipulated evidence and withheld medical record by the OSP.

 

The family explained in the statement that the arrest warrant issued for Mr. Ofori-Atta on February 11, 2025 citing “using public office for private profit” was obtained under “unusual circumstances” without any supporting affidavit.

 

The family says that despite the arrest warrant, no formal charges have been filed against the former Finance Minister.

 

Surgery

 

According to the family, Mr. Ofori-Atta has been undergoing treatment for cancer at the Mayo Clinic in the United States.

 

The family said he was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year following post-covid complications dating back to 2021.

 

Furthermore, the family said Mr. Ofori-Atta was due for surgery on June 13, 2025, and had requested a video-recorded interview in lieu of an in-person appearance.

 

But “Rather than respecting the medical records shared and permitting a virtual engagement as permitted under law, the OSP chose to portray a man scheduled for surgery as a fugitive,” the family said, accusing the OSP of deliberately concealing medical evidence and ignoring offers for remote cooperation and staging a “public lynching” to humiliate him.

 

According to the family, a new lawsuit was filed on June 3, which challenged the legality of the arrest warrant and the conduct of the OSP.

 

The family questioned whether the OSP disclosed the pending court proceedings, medical documentation, or the cancer diagnosis to INTERPOL before requesting the Red Notice, saying “Had these been disclosed, the INTERPOL filing would have violated Articles 2 and 3 of its constitution, which protect the right to health and prohibit political abuse.”

 

According to the family, the OSP’s case against Mr. Ofori-Atta is not about corruption or justice but political vendetta.

 

They said “Mr. Ofori-Atta has never fled from accountability. He stood before CHRAJ, Parliament, and ECOWAS Court inquiries – and was cleared each time,” adding that “This is not justice. This is vengeance.”

 

About the investigation:

 

Ofori-Atta is under investigation for his alleged involvement in several high-profile cases, including:

1. Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance: Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

2. Electricity Company Contract Termination: The termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).

3. National Cathedral Project: Procurement procedures and financial transactions related to the construction of the National Cathedral.

 

4. Ambulance Procurement: A Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase and maintenance of 307 ambulances.

5. GRA Tax P-Fund Management: The handling and disbursement of funds from the GRA’s Tax P-Fund Account.

Mr. Ofori-Atta served as a Finance Minister under the erstwhile President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government. In 2021, he was reportedly diagnosed with Covid and went to the United States that year to seek medical care. He returned to Ghana after his coronavirus treatment and continued serving as Minister of Finance until he was replaced with Mohammed Amin Adams who served briefly as Finance Minister until the then opposition and ruling National Democratic Congress took office in January 2025.