Credit: Kekeli K. Blamey
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta will not appear in person before the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) today, Monday, June 2, as previously scheduled.
Sources close to him confirm that a recent decline in his health has made physical attendance impossible.
His legal team has formally informed both the OSP and the Human Rights Court of his condition, submitting medical documents that detail his current state and outline upcoming surgical procedures.
This development comes amid growing speculation over whether the OSP, led by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, will reissue a warrant and re-declare Mr. Ofori-Atta as a wanted person if he misses the June 2 appointment.
A previous OSP statement suggested such action was under consideration.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is currently engaged in a legal battle at the Human Rights Court, challenging an earlier decision by the OSP to declare him wanted. The court is expected to deliver its ruling on that matter on June 18, this year.
In a May 28 post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the OSP acknowledged the pending legal proceedings:
“The Human Rights Court has adjourned to 18 June 2025 for a ruling on a motion filed by former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta, seeking to restrain the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) from declaring him wanted, among other reliefs.”
Mr. Ofori-Atta is also asking the court to order the OSP to remove previous “wanted” declarations from its social media platforms.
In the meantime, sources indicate that the former minister has offered to cooperate with the OSP by participating in the investigation remotely, in accordance with the Electronic Transactions Act.
This would allow the OSP to obtain a Cautioned Statement from him virtually while he continues medical treatment.
ANC Empire Multimedia has observed that the OSP has not yet issued an official response to this request or clarified how it will proceed.
Key Investigations Involving Mr. Ofori-Atta
Mr. Ofori-Atta is being investigated in connection with several high-profile cases:
Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance; focused on agreements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Electricity Company Contract Termination; related to the cancellation of a deal between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).
National Cathedral Project; probing procurement and financial transactions.
Ambulance Procurement; involving a Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for 307 ambulances.
GRA Tax P-Fund Management; investigating the use and disbursement of funds from the GRA’s Tax P-Fund Account.
Timeline of Events
January 2025: OSP designates Mr. Ofori-Atta a suspect in five investigations, requesting his appearance on February 10.
January 31, 2025: His lawyers notify the OSP of his indefinite medical stay abroad and offer to represent him.
February 5, 2025: OSP demands a firm return date and reminds that lawyers cannot answer criminal charges on behalf of clients.
February 10, 2025: A general doctor’s note is submitted, lacking details and a return date.
February 12, 2025: OSP declares Mr. Ofori-Atta a fugitive and issues an arrest warrant.
February 18, 2025: Ofori-Atta provides a definite return date in May; the OSP removes him from the wanted list.
March 2025: Ofori-Atta sues the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, calling the “wanted” declaration unlawful and requesting damages and content removal.
March 28, 2025: Court hears his motion to bar the OSP from making another “wanted” declaration.
Looking Ahead
June 2, 2025: Mr. Ofori-Atta was expected to appear at the OSP in person.
If he fails to appear and no accommodation is accepted, in-depth analysis from ANC Empire Multimedia’s news desk believes that he could be re-added to the wanted list or may be declared a fugitive again.
The OSP, however may initiate steps to request an INTERPOL Red Notice.
As of now, the OSP’s next move remains unclear.
