The special prosecutor in Ghana has declared the country's ex-finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, a fugitive for his alleged involvement in multiple government contracts from 2017 to 2024. Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng accused the former minister of engaging in corrupt practices during the administration of former President Nana Akufo-Addo. The charges involve various high-profile projects including contracts related to the national electricity company, procurement of ambulances, and audits by the Ghana Revenue Authority. Despite being summoned to appear before the prosecutor’s office on February 10th, 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta did not show up, citing medical reasons.
Ken Ofori-Atta served as Ghana's finance minister from 2017 until 2024. According to the prosecutor, he was notified on January 25th that he was under investigation for corruption and was asked to appear before the Special Prosecutor's Office. However, the former minister remained out of the country indefinitely for medical reasons, as stated by his legal team. The prosecutor's office rejected this explanation, emphasizing the need for the minister's personal presence to answer questions directly rather than through his lawyers. They also dismissed a medical letter provided by his attorneys, stating it was insufficient to justify his absence.
In response to media reports about uniformed personnel raiding the former minister's residence on February 11th, the prosecutor clarified that no such action had been taken by his office. He suggested that these incidents might be staged or conducted by imposters aiming to disrupt their investigations. The prosecutor reiterated that such actions would not deter them from continuing their legal proceedings against Mr. Ofori-Atta. He insisted that the former minister must either return voluntarily or face forced repatriation to stand trial.
During Mr. Ofori-Atta's tenure, Ghana faced significant economic challenges, leading to an $3 billion IMF program aimed at addressing the crisis. In 2022, 80 lawmakers from his own party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), petitioned then-President Nana Akufo-Addo to dismiss the finance minister unless he could finalize the IMF deal. Despite this pressure, the president refused to remove him from office until the negotiations were complete. This decision underscored the complex political dynamics surrounding the economic policies and leadership during that period.
The allegations against Ken Ofori-Atta highlight the ongoing scrutiny of government officials in Ghana, particularly those involved in managing the nation's finances during times of economic instability. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact Ghana's efforts to stabilize its economy and restore public trust in its institutions.