Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to return to Ghana after undergoing surgery for cancer in the United States, according to a statement released by his family on Sunday, June 9, 2025.
The statement confirms that Mr. Ofori-Atta will make himself available to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) after his medical treatment and recovery are complete. The announcement follows the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice and the OSP’s declaration that the former minister is a fugitive from justice.
The family described the move by the OSP as a “premeditated theatrical stunt” designed to publicly humiliate Mr. Ofori-Atta, whom they say has never evaded legal accountability.
According to the statement, the former minister is scheduled to undergo surgery on June 13 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, following a confirmed cancer diagnosis from a biopsy conducted in March. The family noted that Mr. Ofori-Atta had formally informed the OSP of his medical condition and requested a video-recorded interview instead of a physical appearance—an offer they claim was rejected.
The family further accused the Special Prosecutor’s office of manipulating evidence, violating Mr. Ofori-Atta’s constitutional rights, and ignoring pending legal proceedings. They referenced a Human Rights Court ruling scheduled for June 18, arguing that the arrest warrant was obtained without proper judicial process.
“There is no formal charge against Mr. Ofori-Atta apart from a vague reference in the arrest warrant to ‘using public office for private profit’,” the family said. “This warrant was issued under highly unusual circumstances and without a supporting affidavit.”
In response to the Red Notice, the family has petitioned the INTERPOL Commission for the Control of Files (CCF), urging for its immediate withdrawal. They argue that the notice was issued without due consideration of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s health condition, the pending court ruling, or his repeated offers of virtual cooperation.
“We, the family of Mr. Kenneth Ofori-Atta, have chosen to make this public statement due to the actions of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on 2 June. We also call for the withdrawal of the INTERPOL Red Notice and have applied to the National Central Bureau and the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files for deletion of the Red Notice” part of the statement read.
“We remain perplexed by the OSP’s refusal, over the past three months, to accept Mr. Ofori-Atta’s proposal to provide information through written submissions or a recorded video interview,” the statement said. “It is difficult to see this refusal as anything other than an attempt to embarrass him upon his return.”
The statement also highlighted Mr. Ofori-Atta’s history of transparency, citing previous investigations by Parliament, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the ECOWAS Court, all of which reportedly cleared him of wrongdoing.
“Any suggestions that Mr. Ofori-Atta is fleeing justice are baseless, out of character, and simply untrue,” the family added.
They concluded by reiterating his commitment to cooperate fully with investigations upon his return.
“Once Mr. Ofori-Atta completes his surgery and recovers, he will return to Ghana and appear before the OSP in person. We believe his rights will be upheld and that, in time, the truth will vindicate him before the entire nation,” the statement concluded.
