Interpol Issues Red Notice for Ghana’s Ex-Finance Minister

Interpol has issued a Red Notice for Ghana’s former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, who is now officially considered a fugitive from justice. 

Ghanaian prosecutors accuse the 65-year-old of abusing his public office for personal gain during his tenure, and allege his involvement in multiple corruption cases including irregularities in the handling of the controversial national cathedral project.

The Red Notice, released late Thursday, states that Ofori-Atta is wanted on charges of “using public office for profit.” While not an arrest warrant, the notice is a formal request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and detain the individual pending extradition.

Ofori-Atta, who is reportedly outside Ghana receiving medical treatment, has not publicly addressed the allegations but insists he has been “unlawfully treated.” He previously appealed to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to clear his name, promising a return date in May, which led to a temporary removal from the wanted list. However, his failure to appear before an investigative panel prompted the OSP to reissue the alert.

“We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations,” said state prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng.

The former minister, who served from January 2017 to February 2024 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has also filed a lawsuit challenging his treatment and demanding that the OSP take down content about him from its social media platforms. The NPP lost power in December’s elections, ushering in President John Mahama and his new administration, which launched “Operation Recover All Loot” a sweeping anti-corruption drive already investigating over $20 billion in alleged stolen funds.

While the campaign has been applauded by some, critics have pointed out the selective approach, especially in cases involving Mahama’s former allies.