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Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
From finance minister to outlaw: Ghana's Ofori-Atta declared wanted again
Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana's former Minister of Finance, has been branded a wanted person by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) after failing to appear for interrogation on Monday. Ken Ofori-Atta, former Minister of Finance for Ghana, is declared wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The action follows his failure to attend interrogation about alleged mismanagement during his term. Ofori-Atta previously played a key role in Ghana's IMF negotiations during a financial crisis but faced criticism for fiscal policies. The reissued warrant is related to continuing investigations into potential wrongdoing during his tenure, namely, payments made for contentious projects. This recent action represents a substantial shift from events in February 2025, when the OSP officially removed Ofori-Atta from its wanted list. That decision came after his legal team submitted written assurances of his return to Ghana and cooperation with authorities, momentarily calming tensions between the ex-minister and anti-corruption investigators. However, the former finance chief's inability to attend a scheduled grilling this week has revived the controversy. According to the OSP, Ofori-Atta's new status as a "wanted individual and fugitive from justice" derives from his failure to provide a plausible schedule for his return or response to summons, despite being legally identified as a suspect in various corruption and procurement-related investigations. 'It is more than three hours past the scheduled time for Mr. Ofori-Atta's appearance,' Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said. 'Consequently, the Office of the Special Prosecutor declares that Mr. Ofori-Atta is a wanted person and a fugitive from justice,' Agyebeng added. The special prosecutor also added that he initiated the procedure for issuing an Interpol red alert for Ofori-Atta's arrest and extradition to Ghana, as seen on Bloomberg. The basis for Ken Ofori-Atta's call for arrest The investigation revolves around claims of funding for Ghana's contentious National Cathedral project, the buying of ambulance replacement parts, and other dubious spending. The OSP suspects Ofori-Atta of misusing public funds and engaging in procedural irregularities during his tenure as finance minister. Ofori-Atta, Ghana's finance minister until his removal in mid-February 2024, had long faced public and legislative criticism. His handling of the economy amid a moment of unprecedented financial turmoil garnered increasing criticism from both the opposition and members of his own New Patriotic Party. In October 2022, over 80 NPP MPs sought his resignation, followed by similar requests from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in February 2023. Despite this, President Nana Akufo-Addo supported him until early 2024, when he was eventually removed by Mohammed Amin Adam, then Minister of State at the Finance Ministry. During Ofori-Atta's term, Ghana entered negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to resolve a deteriorating financial crisis. In May 2023, the IMF authorized a $3 billion, three-year loan under its Extended Credit Facility program, offering immediate respite and a potential lifeline to the struggling economy.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ghana's ex-finance minister declared a fugitive
Ghana's former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been declared a fugitive by prosecutors over his alleged involvement in multiple corruption cases when he was in government. Ofori-Atta had left Ghana to evade investigations, and all necessary steps would be taken to bring him back, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng said. Ofori-Atta has been accused of causing financial losses to the state, including over a controversial national cathedral, which remains a hole in the ground despite the alleged spending of $58m (£46.6m) of government money. Ofori-Atta has not commented on the allegations. According to Agyabeng, the ex-minister's lawyers said he was out of the country for medical reasons. Agyabeng told a press conference that Ofori-Atta, 66, failed to attend an interview with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), despite being told he was a suspect. Ofori-Atta left Ghana in early January, and had no intention of "willingly" returning, Agyabeng said. The OSP was, therefore, declaring him a "wanted person". "He is a fugitive from justice," the special prosecutor added. Ofori-Atta was finance minister from January 2017 to February 2024, when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was in power. It lost elections in December to the National Democratic Congress (NDC). President John Mahama, who was inaugurated in January, went on to establish an investigative committee known as Operation Recover All Loot. The committee has received over 200 complaints of corruption, amounting to more than $20bn in recoverable funds. Mahama has directed the attorney general and minister of justice to launch investigations into these allegations, stating that Ghana will no longer be a safe haven for corruption. However, some Ghanaians have criticised him for discontinuing cases against his former allies on trial. The Maths Queen with a quantum mission to mentor girls Why some Ghanaians are fighting in insurgency-hit Burkina Faso Ghana wants more for its cashews, but it's a tough nut to crack Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Reuters
12-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Ghana orders investigation into 81,000 suspected ghost names on payroll
ACCRA, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday ordered an investigation into the operations of the National Service Authority under the former government following the discovery of more than 81,000 suspected ghost names on its payroll. The ghost names were discovered following a headcount to clear arrears in allowance payments at the agency, which is in charge of supervising mandatory one-year employment placements for graduates, a statement from the presidency said. It was unclear what previous payments may have been made under the ghost names. The finance ministry had released 226 million Ghana cedis ($14.6 million) in payments to just over 98,000 legitimate payees, the presidency statement said. Mahama, who returned to office in January, promised to root out entrenched corruption in the oil and gold-producing West African nation that is emerging from its worst economic crisis in a generation. Separately on Wednesday, Ghana's anti-graft agency, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta "a wanted fugitive" in connection with his alleged role in five transactions under investigation for corruption and related offences. Ofori-Atta was not immediately available for comment.
