By Alex Boye
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has engaged in some controversial bunter with Ghana’s former finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta over some allegations of corruption
The OSP at a press conference yesterday declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a suspect in four high-profile corruption investigations.
He accused the former finance minister of corruption in cases related to the National Cathedral project, Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML), and two other cases.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra yesterday, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that Mr. Ofori-Atta is now a wanted person and must avail himself immediately to face questioning. Authentic Ghanaian cuisine recipes
He warned that failure to comply would result in steps being taken to compel his return.
Dismissing claims that Ofori-Atta had left the country for medical treatment, Agyebeng insisted that the former minister must cooperate with the ongoing investigations.
He also refuted reports suggesting that officials from the OSP had raided Ofori-Atta’s residence on Tuesday, February 11.
Instead, Agyebeng alleged that the raid was staged by the former minister himself in an attempt to mislead the public and discredit the OSP’s investigations.
But speaking on the cases, the Special Prosecutor told journalists that “1.Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the GRA for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production and minerals and metals resources value chain.2. Termination of a distribution loss reduction and associated network improvement project contract between ECG and Beijing Technology (BXC).3. Procurement of contractors and materials and activities and payments in respect of the national cathedral project.
4 “activities and payments in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health initially commenced by the ministry of special developments initiatives to service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchases and after sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes benz sprinter ambulances for the national ambulance service and 5. payments out of and utilisation of the tax refund account of GRA.”
Agyebeng further said “The fugitive’s name is Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori Atta. Mr Ofori-Atta is 66 years old. He was the minister of finance of the republic between 2017 and 2024. Mr Ofori-Atta left the jurisdiction on or around 2 January 2025. On 24th January 2025, the OSP communicated to Mr Ofori-Atta that OSP considered him suspect in respect to four of the cases above. Mr Ofori-Atta was asked to attend in person on Monday, 10th February 2025, at 10GMT for an interview…Mr Ofori-Atta instructed his lawyers to inform the OSP that he was out of the jurisdiction indefinitely on medical grounds.
Ken Ofori-Atta seeking medical care abroad
Meanwhile, legal representatives of former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta have responded to the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) directive for their client to appear before it in person on 10th February 2025, stating that he was abroad for medical treatment.
In a letter dated January 31, the lawyers gave this explanation as the reason why Mr Ofori-Atta could not report to the OSP as requested on January 24, 2025.
According to the lawyers, Mr Ofori-Atta was unaware of the OSP’s letter initially, as it was left at his security post while he was out of the country. They further clarified that he had notified both the former and current Chief of Staff about his medical trip earlier in January.
The legal team stated that Ofori-Atta was undergoing medical observation and tests, with treatment plans yet to be finalised.
As a result, they requested that the OSP reschedule his in-person appearance upon his return to Ghana. Meanwhile, they assured their willingness to provide any necessary information to support the investigation.
