By: Franklin Asare-Donkoh
Ghana’s Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (AG), Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, says his office cannot initiate any formal extradition proceedings against the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who is currently in the United States (US), until a substantive legal case has been built.
Dr. Ayine explained that the United States’ extradition procedures demand a complete case file, including detailed evidence and formally filed charges, before any request can be considered.
Addressing a cross-section of journalists in Accra on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, during the Government Accountability Series organised by the Government Communications Ministry, the Attorney-General addressed reports of tension between his office and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
According to him, the Attorney-General’s Department is still awaiting the relevant case docket from the OSP to proceed with the process.
“Without the docket, we cannot make a request, so we’re still waiting for the docket. I have read everything said by the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, and his office. I respect his office and the autonomy of the office. But we in the Attorney-General’s Department cannot begin an extradition request with a letter. We need the evidence to do so. So, the formal processes have started,” Dr. Ayine noted.
Dr. Ayine, however, appeared to downplay such claims, stressing that proper legal processes must be followed before any action is taken.
In January 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) identified former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as a person of interest in multiple corruption-related probes. These include alleged irregularities in contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), spending on the National Cathedral project, and matters linked to health and tax refund operations.
Nearly ten months after being declared a “fugitive from justice” in February 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta is still residing in the United States and has yet to return to Ghana.
