By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has reaffirmed that the Government of Ghana has taken all legally required steps to secure the extradition of former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and his former Chief de Cabinet, Ernest Darko Akore, from the United States to face prosecution in Ghana.
Addressing a press briefing on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Dr. Ayine stated that the extradition process has now reached a critical stage and is awaiting assessment by U.S. judicial authorities.
“Government has taken the requisite steps legally required for Ken Ofori-Atta and Ernest Akore to be extradited to Ghana to face justice. At this point, it is left to the American authorities to make a determination on whether a sufficient basis exists for the two accused persons to be extradited to Ghana to stand trial,” the Attorney-General said.
Dr. Ayine explained that the process began on November 19, 2025, when the Attorney-General’s Office received a formal request from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to initiate extradition proceedings against Mr. Ofori-Atta and Mr. Akore, who are currently in the United States.
Following a preliminary review by an international legal unit cooperating with the Attorney-General’s Office, certain aspects of the request were identified as requiring clarification and enhancement to meet applicable legal and procedural standards.
In a letter dated November 25, 2025, the Attorney-General’s Office communicated these observations to the OSP and requested supplementary documentation. The OSP subsequently responded on December 9, 2025, providing the additional materials and addressing all issues raised, thereby finalising the extradition request package.
The completed documentation was thereafter transmitted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the competent authorities in the United States, specifically the U.S. Department of Justice, for onward consideration by the appropriate judicial bodies.
Dr. Ayine further disclosed that Ken Ofori-Atta has engaged top legal representation in the United States to oppose the extradition request.
“Mr. Ofori-Atta has hired top lawyers in the United States to fight his extradition,” the Attorney-General revealed.
The extradition proceedings follow formal charges filed by the OSP on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others. The accused face a total of 78 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences arising from investigations into alleged financial irregularities involving the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
Those charged include Ernest Darko Akore, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, Rev. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Isaac Crentsil, Kwadwo Damoah, Evans Adusei, and Strategic Mobilisation Limited.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is expected to be tried in absentia, having failed to return to Ghana after travelling to the United States.
The individuals implicated in the case include:
Ernest Darko Akore, former Chief de Cabinet to the Minister of Finance
Emmanuel Kofi Nti, former Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority
Rev. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General of the GRA
Isaac Crentsil, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA and General Manager of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited
Kwadwo Damoah, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA and Member of Parliament for Jaman South
Earlier, the OSP had announced plans to prefer charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta and the other officials by the end of November 2025, following a comprehensive investigation into alleged corruption and related offences.
At a press briefing on October 30, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng disclosed that the investigations uncovered evidence of serious financial irregularities involving senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and the GRA, as well as individuals connected to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited.
Beyond criminal prosecution, the OSP has also initiated processes to recover financial losses suffered by the state. Mr. Agyebeng revealed that the office is seeking to recover GH₵125 million from Strategic Mobilisation Limited, describing the amount as unjust enrichment obtained unfairly at the expense of the Republic.
“The OSP will recover a total amount of GH₵125 million from SML by way of disgorgement of unjust enrichment, representing overpayments and benefits obtained unfairly at the expense of the Republic,” he stated.
As the matter now lies before U.S. judicial authorities, the case underscores Ghana’s renewed commitment to enforcing accountability and pursuing alleged corruption cases across international borders.
