The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially removed former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from its list of wanted individuals after he agreed to voluntarily return to Ghana to face questioning.
Ofori-Atta, who was declared wanted on February 12, 2025, for failing to provide a clear timeline for his return amid an ongoing corruption investigation, has now committed to a specific date for his appearance.
Through his legal team on February 18, 2025, Ofori-Atta communicated his intention to cooperate with the Special Proscutor, prompting the office to reconsider his status.
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng and his team deemed the proposed timeline reasonable and have adjusted the schedule for his questioning accordingly.
Change in position
The Office of the Special Prosecutor stressed that Ofori-Atta’s decision marks a “major shift” from his previous stance, where he had remained abroad indefinitely without providing a clear plan to return.
In a press release, the OSP stated, “As a result, Mr. Ofori-Atta has been removed from the OSP’s list of wanted persons, and the office no longer considers him a fugitive from justice, pending his voluntary return to Ghana.”
However, the OSP issued a stern warning: should Ofori-Atta fail to honour his commitment, he will immediately be reinstated as a wanted individual.
“If Mr. Ofori-Atta does not return to Ghana on the agreed date or fails to appear before the OSP as rescheduled, he will be re-listed as a wanted person,” the statement added.
The Special Prosecutor reiterated the OSP’s dedication to upholding accountability, fairness, and due process in all its investigations.
Background
Ken Ofori-Atta, who served as Ghana’s Finance Minister, was a central figure in shaping the country’s economic policies. His tenure was marked by significant achievements as well as controversies, particularly regarding economic management and debt restructuring efforts.
His current legal challenges stem from allegations of corruption and related offences, though specific details of the accusations have not been made public.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com