Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister, was declared a wanted fugitive on Wednesday by the country’s special prosecutor, who accused him of corruption. Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng gave Ofori-Atta an ultimatum: either return to the country voluntarily or face enforcement to bring him back. Ofori-Atta is accused of causing significant financial loss to the state through questionable government transactions.
Serving under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ofori-Atta is alleged to have approved the release of large state funds for the construction of the controversial National Cathedral in Accra. Originally conceived by Akufo-Addo as a private-funded tribute to God following his 2016 election victory, the cathedral project has raised public outcry due to claims that $58 million in public funds were spent on it, along with allegations of financial mismanagement.
In addition, Ofori-Atta is accused of authorizing the disbursement of $11.8 million at the request of the presidential chief of staff. Despite the funds being released, construction on the cathedral has stalled for the past two years, with critics viewing the project as a symbol of fiscal irresponsibility. Ofori-Atta faces accusations of failing to ensure proper oversight and due diligence before approving these payments.
Ofori-Atta is also connected to a controversial contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML), a company specializing in audit and insurance within the oil sector. In 2019, the GRA allegedly paid over $83 million to SML under Ofori-Atta’s watch without the necessary approval from the Public Procurement Authority. Concerns about the transparency and value for money of the contract have since emerged.
Anti-corruption groups, including the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), have long called for Ofori-Atta’s prosecution, and some have filed lawsuits against him, the GRA, and SML, demanding accountability and a refund of public funds. The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has now taken over the investigation and is pursuing legal action against the former minister. Agyebeng stated that Ofori-Atta has shown no intention of voluntarily returning to Ghana to face justice.
Authorities have not disclosed Ofori-Atta’s current whereabouts. Ghana’s new government, under President John Mahama, has pledged a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and vowed to pursue legal action against former government officials accused of corruption.
So far, the government has received over 2,000 complaints through its “Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL)” initiative, which aims to recover state assets wrongfully acquired by former officials of the Akufo-Addo administration. AFP
