The Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) has struck out the Red Notice issued against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, ruling that the alert was largely political and breached INTERPOL’s regulations.
In a public notice dated February 13, 2026, his lawyer, Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo Esq., said the decision was taken at the CCF’s 135th session on February 4, 2026. The commission found the notice “appears of a predominantly political character” and ordered its permanent deletion from INTERPOL’s database.
According to the statement, a comprehensive review showed that information submitted by the Ghana INTERPOL National Central Bureau did not satisfy the organisation’s rules and could not remain in its systems.
Under its constitution, INTERPOL is prohibited from intervening in matters of a political, military, religious or racial character. The CCF operates independently to ensure compliance with these standards and to examine petitions concerning Red Notices and related alerts.
A Red Notice asks law-enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest an individual for possible extradition or comparable legal action. While it is not itself an international arrest warrant, it can significantly affect travel and reputation.
In June 2025, a red notice was issued for Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s former finance minister, by Interpol for various allegations of corruption.
The issuance of the red notice comes after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) formally initiated the process for an INTERPOL Red Notice, which could subject Ken Ofori-Atta to international arrest and possible extradition.
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, announced at a press conference on Monday, June 2, 2025, following the expiration of an agreed date for interrogation.
In addition, the Office has re-listed the embattled former minister on its list of wanted persons and officially declared him a fugitive from justice.
Agyebeng declared that the OSP will deploy all legal means to secure Ofori-Atta’s return to Ghana.
He stated that the office will prefer criminal charges against Ofori-Atta in due course, either in absentia or otherwise.
Through his lawyers, Ofori-Atta in a letter dated May 28, 2025, informed the OSP that he has been diagnosed with cancer and will be unable to meet the June 2, 2025, deadline.
But the OSP denied receiving any medical report concerning Ofori-Atta, in response to widespread media reports alleging the existence of a hospital letter suggesting the former official is unwell.
In a statement issued Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the OSP strongly refuted claims that it had been served with a medical document regarding Ofori-Atta, describing the reports as misleading and potentially damaging to public confidence.
The office further expressed concern over the unauthorised media circulation of what is alleged to be a confidential medical letter purportedly originating from a local hospital.
To date, the OSP noted, no certified medical records or official documents from any hospital authority have been submitted to the OSP indicating that Ofori-Atta is incapacitated or unable to travel to Ghana.
The OSP emphasised the importance of due process and called on the media to exercise caution and verify information before publication.
The OSP also questioned the motivations behind the leak of the alleged hospital letter, suggesting it could be part of a broader attempt to influence public perception or obstruct ongoing investigations.
Ken Ofori-Atta has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is scheduled to undergo surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in the United States.
