Accusations of financial misconduct and corruption continue to plague Ghana’s former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, who has now been placed on Interpol’s Red Notice list. The international alert follows allegations of financial mismanagement, including the controversial $58 million National Cathedral project.
Interpol Red Notice Issued Against Ken Ofori-Atta
Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister, is officially a wanted person on the international stage after the country’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) issued a Red Notice request through Interpol. The notice, issued in early June, seeks global law enforcement assistance in locating and detaining Ofori-Atta, who has been accused of using public office for personal profit during his tenure.
The Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant per se, but it acts as a formal request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a suspect pending extradition or other legal action. This marks a significant escalation in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to bring former officials to account for alleged corruption under the previous administration.
A Web of Allegations: National Cathedral and Beyond
At the center of the storm is the National Cathedral scandal, a highly controversial infrastructure project that has drawn sharp criticism over its opaque procurement processes and alleged mismanagement of public funds. According to prosecutors, $58 million (approximately £46.6 million) in government money was spent on the project, which, as of now, remains little more than an undeveloped construction site.
This project, initially touted as a symbol of national unity and spiritual heritage, has become a symbol of alleged government corruption, mismanagement, and fiscal irresponsibility. Investigators claim that the procurement processes violated established protocols, raising suspicions of insider dealings and embezzlement.
In addition to the cathedral scandal, Ofori-Atta is accused of causing financial loss to the state through multiple other dealings during his time in office from January 2017 to February 2024, when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was in power.
Legal Drama: From Wanted Person to Fugitive
In February 2025, Ofori-Atta reportedly appealed to the OSP, requesting that his name be removed from the wanted list and providing a definite return date for medical reasons. Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng initially accepted this assurance and temporarily removed him from the list.
However, tensions flared once again when Ofori-Atta failed to appear before an investigative panel in May. The OSP responded swiftly by reinstating his status as a wanted individual and labeling him a fugitive from justice. Prosecutors argued that a suspect does not have the liberty to dictate how investigations should be carried out.
“We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations,” said Agyebeng.
Following this, Interpol formally issued the Red Notice at Ghana’s request, which could result in his detention anywhere in the world, pending extradition proceedings.
Ofori-Atta Maintains Innocence, Files Lawsuit
Despite the mounting pressure, Ken Ofori-Atta has not remained silent. Through his legal team, the former minister filed a lawsuit in March, claiming unlawful treatment by the OSP. His suit demanded the removal of his name from the wanted list and the deletion of social media content referencing him as a fugitive.
His lawyers had earlier offered to represent him in absentia, but prosecutors rejected the proposal, insisting on his physical presence for questioning. Prosecutors argue that legal representation cannot substitute for a suspect’s own testimony in a criminal investigation.
Ofori-Atta has yet to directly address the specifics of the corruption allegations, though he has described the state’s actions as unlawful and politically motivated.
Operation Recover All Loot: Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Campaign Intensifies
The case against Ofori-Atta is part of a broader anti-corruption drive led by Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Mahama, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). After winning the December 2024 elections, Mahama launched Operation Recover All Loot, a sweeping initiative aimed at identifying and recovering funds lost to corruption during the previous administration.
According to official statements, the operation has already received over 200 formal complaints, with potential recoverable funds estimated at over $20 billion. Mahama has vowed that “Ghana will no longer be a safe haven for corruption,” signaling a dramatic shift in governance and public accountability.
Political Fallout and Public Perception
While the anti-corruption campaign has garnered praise from many segments of the Ghanaian public, it has also sparked criticism. Opponents accuse President Mahama of selective justice, pointing to the discontinuation of some corruption cases involving former NDC allies.
Observers warn that unless the campaign is seen as truly impartial, it risks being dismissed as a political witch hunt. The decision to pursue Ofori-Atta so aggressively while allegedly protecting certain political allies could undermine the credibility of the initiative.
Still, many Ghanaians support the move to hold past officials accountable, especially in the wake of multiple high-profile scandals that have drained public funds and eroded trust in government institutions.
The Road Ahead: What Happens Next?
The issuance of the Interpol Red Notice means Ofori-Atta could be detained if located in any cooperating country. From there, Ghanaian authorities would have to formally request extradition, a process that can be lengthy and complex, especially if the suspect claims political persecution or raises human rights concerns.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor is continuing its investigation into other officials linked to the cathedral project and various government contracts awarded during Ofori-Atta’s tenure. Sources within the OSP suggest that additional Red Notices could be issued in the coming months.
As Ghana’s anti-corruption campaign gains international visibility, the Ofori-Atta case will likely become a litmus test for the country’s judicial independence, political maturity, and ability to enforce transparency at the highest levels of power.