The Attorney-General’s Department has confirmed it is working with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to facilitate the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who is currently in the United States.
Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Justice Srem Sia, said legal processes are underway to ensure Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return to Ghana to face investigations.Ghanaian food recipes
“There must be a different extradition process which will assist us so that wherever you are found, we trigger that for you to be arrested, and you go through process in the country and then you are shipped to Ghana for prosecution. That is the job of the Attorney General to oversee that,” Dr. Srem Sai said in an interview with Joy News on Wednesday, June 12.
He added, “We are currently in the process of having him extradited to Ghana, wherever he is.”
Mr. Ofori-Atta is reported to be in the U.S. awaiting cancer surgery scheduled for June 13, 2025, at the Mayo Medical Clinic. Despite his health status, the government is proceeding with efforts to return him for prosecution.
The former Finance Minister is under investigation by the OSP for alleged corruption and procurement breaches during his tenure.
Key Issues Under Investigation
- Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance
– Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). - Electricity Company Contract Termination
– Termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC). - National Cathedral Project
– Procurement procedures and financial transactions related to the National Cathedral. - Ambulance Procurement
– A Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase and maintenance of 307 ambulances. - GRA Tax P-Fund Management
– Handling and disbursement of funds from the Tax P-Fund Account of the GRA.
Timeline of Events
- January 2025
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) officially notified Mr. Ofori-Atta that he was a suspect in five separate cases and requested his appearance on 10 February 2025. - 31 January 2025
His lawyers informed the OSP that he was abroad indefinitely for medical reasons and offered to represent him in his absence. - 5 February 2025
The OSP rejected the claim of indefinite absence and demanded a firm return date by 10 February 2025, warning of legal consequences. It also reminded that legal representatives cannot respond to criminal charges on behalf of clients. - 10 February 2025
His lawyers submitted a doctor’s note (not addressed to any specific party), indicating he was undergoing tests and possibly surgery, with no clear return date. - 12 February 2025
With no further cooperation, the OSP declared Mr. Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice, acting on an arrest warrant. - 18 February 2025
Mr. Ofori-Atta appealed to the OSP for removal from the ‘Wanted List’ and, for the first time, provided a definite return date in May 2025. The OSP accepted this assurance and removed his name from the list.
Legal Challenge
- March 2025
Mr. Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, seeking compensation for what he described as an unlawful declaration of him as wanted. He also requested the removal of related content from the OSP’s social media platforms. - 28 March 2025
The Human Rights Court heard an interim application from Mr. Ofori-Atta, asking the court to restrain the OSP from declaring him wanted again.
