Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, was declared a wanted fugitive on Wednesday by the country’s Office of the Special Prosecutor on charges of corruption and financial mismanagement.
“You have two choices: either return to the jurisdiction voluntarily or the OSP will enforce your return,” Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng warned, accusing the former minister of causing financial loss to the state through high-profile government dealings.
Ofori-Atta, who served under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, stands accused of authorizing the release of significant state funds for the controversial National Cathedral project in Accra.
Initially envisioned as a personal tribute to God by Akufo-Addo following his 2016 electoral victory, the cathedral was meant to be funded through private contributions.
However, allegations that $58 million in public funds were diverted to the project, along with claims of financial irregularities, have sparked outrage. Critics blame Ofori-Atta for approving these funds without ensuring adequate oversight.
Despite the huge sums allocated, construction on the cathedral has been stalled for the past two years, becoming a symbol of perceived fiscal recklessness.
The former minister is also under scrutiny for allegedly approving the disbursement of $11.8 million at the request of the presidential chief of staff.
In addition to the cathedral controversy, Ofori-Atta is implicated in a questionable contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd , a company specializing in oil sector audits. Under his tenure in 2019, the GRA reportedly paid SML over $83 million without securing mandatory approval from the Public Procurement Authority.
Concerns have since emerged over the contract’s transparency and whether it provided value for money.
Anti-corruption groups, including the Media Foundation for West Africa have long demanded Ofori-Atta’s prosecution, with some filing lawsuits to hold him, the GRA, and SML accountable and to recover public funds.
The OSP has now taken over the investigation and plans to press legal charges.
According to Agyebeng, Ofori-Atta has made no effort to return to Ghana voluntarily to face the charges. Authorities have not disclosed his current location.
Meanwhile, the new administration under President John Mahama has adopted a tough stance on corruption, declaring a “zero tolerance” policy. Through the “Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL)” initiative, the government is committed to reclaiming wrongfully acquired state assets from officials of the previous administration. Over 2,000 complaints have already been lodged under the initiative.
