Ken Ofori-Atta listed on INTERPOL Red Alert over "using public office for profit"

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is now on INTERPOL’s Red Notice list. This follows a renewed request from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The action intensifies efforts to investigate him for corruption.

The Red Notice was made public on June 6, 2025. It describes Ofori-Atta as a 65-year-old Ghanaian man. He was born on November 7, 1959, in Accra. He is 1.7 meters tall with black hair and eyes. He speaks English and Twi.

INTERPOL states he is wanted for "Using Public Office for Profit." The OSP believes he is currently in the United States for medical treatment. They are seeking international help to locate and provisionally arrest him.

This is not the first time he has been declared wanted by the OSP. In February 2025, he was labeled a “fugitive from justice.” This was due to his failure to appear before investigators regarding several corruption cases.

These cases include issues related to the National Cathedral project and a revenue deal with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).

At a press briefing on June 2, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng announced that procedures for the INTERPOL Red Notice had begun just before his announcement. He stated that he triggered processes for locating and provisionally arresting Ofori-Atta.

Timeline of Events

- January 2025: The OSP notified Ofori-Atta that he was a suspect in five cases.

- February 10: They requested his presence but received no response.

- January 31: His lawyers claimed he was abroad indefinitely for medical treatment.

- February 5: The OSP rejected this claim and demanded a return date.

- February 10: A doctor’s note indicated tests and potential surgery without a return date.

- February 12: The OSP declared him a fugitive from justice and activated an arrest warrant.

- February 18: Ofori-Atta offered a return date in May; the OSP accepted this offer.

- March 2025: He filed a lawsuit against the OSP claiming unlawful treatment.

- March 28: The Human Rights Court heard his application against future wanted declarations.

Despite these legal challenges, the renewed action by the OSP shows serious escalation. The public Red Notice encourages law enforcement across INTERPOL’s member countries to locate him.

What a Red Notice Means

A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant but aids police cooperation globally. It allows member states to request location and provisional arrest of fugitives for prosecution or sentencing. INTERPOL reviews all requests to ensure they comply with its rules.

Once approved, notices are distributed to all member states with identifying information about the individual.

Implications for Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Drive

The listing raises stakes significantly for Ken Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 until early 2024. His tenure faced both praise and criticism over financial management allegations.

With this international move, the OSP aims to pursue accountability beyond Ghana's borders. It remains unclear how soon he will respond or if extradition proceedings will follow.

Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor urges anyone with relevant information to contact local police. The OSP has also reinstated his name on its official wanted persons list.